Bollywood Dancing

Sneak preview:

This is what we did over the weekend.... Photos up next so stay tuned!

The Journey

Just two more weeks, and we will come to the end of the medical year. For those who aren't aware, our medical working year starts in February, and ends in February the following year.

I've been working in Obs and Gynae for a whole year now, and I must say that it's been a really interesting journey for me. I started out not knowing how to do a proper vaginal examination, to now, being able to close the uterus during Caesarean Sections. The journey has been a tough one, with lots of ups and downs, many tears shed at work for patients who'd lost their unborn little ones. But at the same time, many tears of joy from appreciative patients who send you card and chocolates, to thank you for helping bring their precious little ones to the world.

I've grown to really love the people I work with. The team is very close, perhaps because we're so isolated from everyone else. The medical and surgical teams rotate amongst different specialties, but we... we stay the same all year round. I suppose that's why we're comfortable in our little niche, with people we know... and we know quite well.

We support each other through tough times at work. We offer each other hugs when we've had a bad day, and always... a listening pair of ears... to vent and whinge about difficult patients and co-workers.

Last week, we had a farewell party for all the residents, registrars and senior registrars who are leaving - to pursue greener pastures. To embark in a different journey, but all... to ultimately reach the same destination.

The party was hosted by Stephen, in his humongous bachelor pad, about 2 minutes walk from my place. I didn't know he had such a huge place!! And, you haven't seen the best part of his house yet...

Yeah yeah, he has a big kitchen, probably with lotsa hi-tech cooking appliances that he doesn't use (I'm just assuming here) hehehehhe...

And a big backyard for little kiddies to run around! My colleague, Jess brought her little girl Rosie. She's sooooo adorable! You should have seen her licking the tomato sauce from her plate. It was super duper cute!

Jonathan came along to meet my work friends :) So he can now put faces to the names that I mention all the time. He's met Henrik and Natharnia when we went to the snow previously, and also Monika at one of Chaddy's VIP night, but this....

This is on a different scale! :) heheheh...

There was no pulling ranks between everyone. The seniors get along real well with the juniors... Everyone supports everyone. We laugh together, cry together. It's amazing when you look back, how much you actually go through with your colleagues... especially when you work more than 100 hours in a pay cycle. It's almost as if you're in the hospital more than you're at home!

Oh yeah, this is the best part about Stevo's house - He has a swimming pool!! 2 minutes away from me! WOOHOO! Now I know where to go on a 40 degrees day! :) I've always extended invitation to myself over summer! Kekeke.

The girls who found it a weeee bit too cold to swim! It was raining cats and dogs just minutes before... and now, the boys are jumping into the pool! It was rather windy, and being a weakling like me... I surely didn't wanna risk falling ill!

Besides, we had a good time, hanging by the pool and camwhoring :)

Thanks for the invite, Stevo! I had a really good time! Thanks for teaching me heaps during night shift (and Pete too) and for the rides to and from work :)

You guys will be missed!!

I am really looking forward to a new start, but at the same time, I know I'll miss you guys! Such a great bunch.

XOXO

Our first 2010 dinner.

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A few of us met up for dinner last night. It's been awhile since I saw them, I reckon... sometime before Christmas. (Okay, maybe not that long ago.) We had dinner before Seng Yong left for Malaysia, and then it was pretty much family time for us during the whole Christmas - New Year period.

Addy felt like having phiphi's so she suggested to have dinner at this place in Box Hill, somewhere along Carrington Road - I have forgotten the name of the restaurant already! Goodness me...

The only place I know that serves XO phiphi is Ling Nan in the city. Hehehhee... YUMS~! I reckon they still have the best one though, served with Chinese Doughnuts (yow char kuey).

Oh btw, slight digression: I drove Jon's new Citroen C5 today. (Okay, it's not really his car. It's a company car). Scary!! The car feels so big compared to my Honda! He said I was going so slow, like a grandma learner! So mean rite???

(This is not his car. But it does look something like that. Sleek, black. I just googled some random image of the new Citroen C5).

But hey, we made it to the restaurant in one piece, and on time too!! :P **wipes off sweat drops on forehead** hehehehe

Dinner was pretty good. No pics though, cause I think we were all too hungry and I forgot that I had my camera in my bag. Wouldn't mind going back to that place. It was my first time there, and I felt that the food was pretty alright. So perhaps when I have cravings for phiphi's and I don't feel like heading into the city, I can always go to Box Hill.

After dinner, we went to have bubble tea and sat down for some mindless chats. When you're in Box Hill, you gotta do Asian Stuff mannn!!!

We were seated on the table right in front of the TV, and ended up watching Jay Chow's video clips until the shop closed. WTF! Damn lame right?

We got reminded of Ming Yen because he likes Jay Chow... hehehe. We were just mentioning how much we miss him, and that he hasn't visited us in awhile. Ming Yen usually has withdrawals if he's been away from us for some time (that's what I like to think)... and so he'll come to visit every couple of months.

It was kinda freaky, cause as we got home, Ming Yen came online and told us he was thinking of coming to visit us next week! Hahahaha... What a coincidence!!

My Precious little fluff ball!

He ALWAYS responds to the word, WALK!
Hahahah.

Sorry about the Blair witch-y quality of the video, but do enjoy...

Much love,
Mommy and Remy

Summer Fun in the Parks

Yes, everybody loves summer!! We hate the heat waves, no doubt. But we love the long sun-shiney days. We love the barbeques, the swims in the sea, hanging out at the beach.We love a little picnic under the summer breeze. 

Yesterday, a few of us went to Fitzroy Gardens for a little picnic and dance in conjunction with their summer event, Summer Fun in the Parks.

We learned swing dancing :) Yeaps!

Michelle and Sarah - both in their feminine floral dresses.

The group, minus Tisha cause she was taking the photo. From L-R: Melissa, Jonathan, Sarah (back), Mei, Michelle.

The brother - sister combination. Don't you reckon they look alike?? I'm so jealous they both have good skin! Arghhh... and Jon doesn't even do anything besides cleanse his face. Damnit! Life is soooo unfair sometimes! Bleks.

The spread... well, more like half of the spread. What a coincidence, that we all brought Lemonade as the drink of choice! Hahahha... Perfect for 30 degrees heat... The ultimate thirst quencher! MmMmm...

For those who missed the flash mob dancing thing on Bourke Street, outside David Jones the other day - we got a second chance to catch them! Performing liveeeee....

If you don't quite know what I'm referring to, watch this.

Pretty cool, don't you reckon??

Yeah, this is them :)

Jon and I managed to learn some basic swing steps from the friendly instructors there. It was quite fun!! :) Learning dancing with like a hundred other people, while picnic-ing at the park. What more can you ask for??

Oh champagne!! Oh wait a minute, we got that too!! Complete with a set of champers glass!! *Cheersssss*

Look at this cutesy doggie! I wish I brought Remy too!

Happy happy faces - Melissa, Jon and Mei.

(Digression: Can you see the hot pink Longchamp bag at the corner? Jon bought it for me from Hong Kong :) Thanks baybeh! *muah*)

The sun set, and the stars came out as we danced the night away. We sat, chatted, ate, chilled, ate summore, gossiped, and ate summore... Kekekeke.

Smiley face :) It's almost like a toothpaste commercial! Kekeke, Michelle needed to show abit more teeth though. She's being overshadowed by the two of them.

After a glass of rose sparkling wine, Mei became a very happy person. The night ended on a good note for me. The only thing I wasn't looking forward to: the 43 degrees heat wave today!

But guess what though?? I actually managed okay because I was practically indoor the whole day. Worked from  0800 to 2130 - so I barely got to see any sun. But when I got out, OMG!! My car was like an oven!!! Crappola!

I already had 2 icypoles, and 3 cold drinks!! Thank God I'm home now, lying in bed, in front of the air-conditioner... What would I do without modern inventions??

A Change In Direction

I looked back at my old blog posts, and it's mostly about love and relationships. It's mostly about fun things that I have been doing, places I've been travelling. Yummylicious things that I have been stuffing down my throat, and pretty restaurants I have visited. Sometimes, it's about my work and other ongoings...

I have always blogged about light hearted stuff because there was a part of me that did not want to have to answer to confrontational comments, (almost always) left by cowardly anonymous'es. I guess you could say, I tried to play it safe - not wanting to say hurtful things about anyone.

But I read my one of my sister's post about dying - and what would you do if you knew that you only had limited time left on earth?

I suppose the only thing I really want to do, is to have my family and loved one by my side. Yes, of course I would want to travel the world, bla bla bla... do fun things, yada yada yada. But at the end of the day, those will not be the moments that define me.

It was those sad moments, when I felt so low and thought that I couldn't go on, that made me a stronger person. That made me the person I am today. It was those bleak moments, where you were betrayed by your friends, that you truly see who your real friends are. It was those hideous moments in my life, moments that I am regretful for, that made me the better person that I am today. So yes, of course I want the pretty, but I am not ashamed to carry the uglies with me to the life beyond.

And back to the question of what would you do before you died?? I just want to spend some quality time with the few people who means the world to me. It doesn't really matter whether they want to do something super exciting, or nothing at all.

What about you??

Stop talking and do something for once.

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I have been reading about the recent arson attacks on Malaysian churches, and can't help but feel ashamed. Ashamed to be a Malaysian (I cannot believe I'm saying this. I have NEVER been ashamed of my roots, perhaps until two days ago.)

Of course I am upset about the whole fiasco, and deeply saddened by the inconsiderate actions of these stupid imbeciles, but what more, I am concerned about what the action represent. It is not just some "stupid kids" getting drunk and having fun, doing something silly. Clearly, someone is trying to send a message, and use the scare tactic.

But above all, I am disappointed at what the country has become. All the talks and visions of unity - are honestly just BULLCRAP! The truth is, everyone is unhappy with everyone else. Not to point fingers at anyone in particular, but I'm sure some of the people who stood up and "condemn" this whole act, is laughing deep inside. That they have won, in some deep, dark, evil way. Process of elimination, I suppose? A little like Hitler killing the "weak" and "unwanted"??

What is Malaysia coming to?? How are you going to join the rest of the countries, in fulfilling your vision of becoming a "fully developed" country by 2020?

I have been doing alot of thinking recently, about my future, about my family. I think this situation have just made it more difficult for me to go home. How I wish I could have my family here with me... That way, I won't ever have to step foot into that land ever again. I miss my family there, my friends, and the yummy food... But to be honest, there is nothing else in Malaysia that I will miss. Not if I can't step out of my house, and feel safe. Not if I have to left, right, front, back, left and right again before I open the door.

Isn't it horrible that I am scared to go home? That I'm so close to not call Malaysia "home".

It's tragically sad that, at this moment, I am ashamed to be Malaysian, to be associated with this kind of terrible actions.

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Najib condemns attacks

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

Church Arson

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has condemned the arson attacks on three churches in the Klang Valley and assured the public that all possible action will be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The Prime Minister also warned the public not to start pointing fingers at who may have been responsible for the attacks.

“I condemn the attacks as they will destroy harmony in this country,” he said.

Official stand: Najib condemning the arson attacks during a press conference Friday. — Bernama

“Action will be taken against those responsible, based on facts and the law,” he told reporters after chairing the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority meeting yesterday.

Najib also directed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to beef up security at places of worship.

He reminded Malaysians not to allow the peace and understanding that they have among each other be threatened by any party.

“As I have said before, whatever problem that arises, we must use the right channel and method to solve it.

“Our action must not be against the law,” he said.

Asked if there were fears of retaliation over the incident, the Prime Minister said the authorities must nip the problem in the bud.

“I hope people will not take the law into their hands. The IGP will report to me on the incident once there is evidence and new developments,” he added.

Najib later tweeted and posted a comment on his blog about the matter, adding that this divisive event and others like it did not represent Malaysia or Islam.

“They don’t represent our families, our communities, or the efforts we have all made toward strengthening 1Malaysia,” he said.

Malaysia, he added, prided itself on representing all religions and pursuing peaceful, legal channels to resolve differences.

“We encourage our citizens to responsibly voice their opinions, but violence is never an acceptable method of expression,” he added.

Najib also took to task a news portal reporter for saying Umno politicians have been “fanning the flames” since the court verdict on the “Allah” issue.

Najib, who was visibly unhappy with the question posed, told the reporter not to point the finger at Umno.

“We have always been very responsible (in our statements). Don’t point the finger at Umno or anybody. Don’t say that these attacks are motivated by Umno. That is a very scurrilous statement you have just made,” he said.

In Ampang, Selangor Umno religious bureau head Datuk Ismail Kijo refuted rumours that Umno members were behind the church attacks, saying there were people taking advantage of the situation to discredit them.

He said there were certain “hands” who were taking advantage of the situation to make Christians think that this was Umno’s doing.

He urged the authorities to make sure the culprits were caught and brought to justice.

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ps: Aren't you the "authority" though? What if someone burnt down 4 mosques instead?? I bet the situation would have been dealt with somewhat differently?


And what's up with the "A" word anyways? I really don't get this whole using of the word "Allah" thing... Please enlighten me...

Bottom line is, whoever did this, may you BURN in hell... SLOWLY, PAINFULLY... like how you burnt those churches down.

For the first time in my life, I teared after reading unpleasant news about Malaysia. The reason, who knows.

Happy New Year

2009 had come and gone. To be honest, it kinda flew by for me. 2009 was generally a good year, albeit flawed by some pretty nasty things. The economic downturn that hit the world, deaths in the family - some expected, and some, rather shocking.

But they don't call it the circle of life for nothing. The sick recovers, the weak gets stronger, the wilted rejuvenates. Deaths are countered with births of beautiful babies - friends', relatives', and of course, the ones that I delivered!

I discovered new friendships, rediscovered and rekindled some old ones, and also lost some friends (or so I thought they were). I learned to be cautious with my money, and attempted to expand my savings. I made some daring decisions for year 2010, and stuck by it *crosses fingers and hopes for the best*.

The only thing missing was, spending quality time with the family - something which I am hoping to fix this year!

Relationship wise, I reckon Jon and I did pretty well as a couple... and as a family unit :) Remy has been a really good boy, and is gaining more points everyday. We have come to realise that he is like a family member to us all, and not just a pet.

I must say that career wise, I have enjoyed myself alot. Working in a place I like, with some really really good, supportive people. I also think this year had given me a better idea of what I want to do in the future. Sure, not everyday is sunshine, but I think 2009 made me grow, stronger, as a person. It has taught me to not give up so easily, but rather... to be patient and fight for what I want.

It's been 10 years, since I left school... Sure, I still have a longgg way to go, and alot of things to discover and learn. But I reckon I am quite proud of what I have become, and things that I have achieved in the mean time.

Someone dear to me always told me that I was a really lucky girl - I just need to learn to see it! I never really took it to heart what he said, because I thought he was trying to be nice and encouraging... But I have come to realise that it is true....

I am truly lucky, and very blessed...
For I have people who care for me,
I do not need many,
Just a handful that matters,
Who will stand by me, to support me,
To share my joys when I'm up,
and half my burden when I'm down.

Thank you, for a beautiful year. I love you all!

May 2010 be a great year for you, for me.

Taken from Docklands, on New Year's Day - fireworks in the city as the clock strikes 12!