Wind of Change

Somebody commented that for a person who usually spend 10-12 hours a day at work, I hardly talked about work in this blog. So here is one..

To start with, just a minor correction. I used to spend 10-12 hours at work on a daily basis.. and sometimes, I'd go in at weekends too. But not anymore. For the past few months, I have been limiting my working time to the normal working hours and even if staying back is necessary, I would limit it to 7pm the max only. It is part of my 'letting go' process I guess..heheh.

Yesterday was my unofficial last day at the private wing. Had a small makan-makan, a few exchanges of thanks and apologies, received a lovely gift from my kind-hearted staff, photo-taking session and..that was it. I didn't even bother to come up with a speech although the staff asked for one.. formal (read: superficial) speech is just not my cup of tea. Come Monday, the private wing will welcome a new full-time pharmacist, the first ever in the history of the organisation. I will still need to go there for another month during the pass-over period but I am glad that things are finally going to change for the better. Not that I am happy to get rid of the job. Ok, may be I do, but I don't hate the job that much anymore. It has kinda 'grown' on me I think..

I used to complain bucketloads about that place before.. here and here as examples. When I took over the unit (as an extra part-time job) 1 and 1/2 years ago, I was amazed at how a private setting can have such a sub-standard practice as far as pharmacy is concerned. Bad planning, bad implementation of systems and problematic staff. Such a recipe for disaster. They just didn't have a clue. I just couldn't stand sloppy work so along the way, I just had to make some changes and on a few occasions, even kicked up a big fuss with the management to get things done. Now, the place is far from perfect yet but at least, the problematic employee has since left, a full-force reliable staff has been assembled, and some standards and systems have been introduced. There are a lot more to be done but these changes can only materialise under the care of a full-time pharmacist. Hence, the reason why I pushed for them to part with their money and employ one, a step which they have been hesitating for years. So.. A big hurrah for common sense and professionalism!

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I have been thinking hard about the future in the past few months. While researching and planning for the years to come, I couldn't help but looking back to the past and present days, particularly my (other, real) job. Yes, work is and has always been a major part of my life.. (sad isn't it? But this is the real me). Looking back, I am amazed at how much we have progressed and achieved. When I joined the hospital way back in 2003 and was given the task to re-set-up and expand the team, never that I imagined that we would have gone this far, but we did. Over the years, we have managed to overcome cynical comments and pessimism from certain quarters and worked hard to make our own mark in the industry, nationally if not internationally. Of course, we had politics and dramas here and there (this is Malaysia after all!) and the place has seen a fair share of laughters and tears over the years, but we survived and succeeded.

My team is at its strongest now, I'd say.. which brings me to the ringing questions in my head... is it time to leave for a new adventure? If yes, temporarily or permanently? Where to? When?

I guess these questions will only be answered in the next few months or so. I am not in a rush. I still have a few more work-in-progress to see through. But whatever and whenever it will be... a major change is inevitable. I need to do something for myself, for once..

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Kinda appropriate for this post, isn't it? And Mr Big looked so young back then!

Brownian movement

It has been quite a bad week. A week when most of the things DIDN'T fall into places nicely as expected. A week when things that could go wrong, DID went wrong. Maybe it was a case of too much of expectations. Maybe certain things were overlooked. Maybe if more preventative measures were taken, it wouldn't be this bad. Maybe.

The bottom line is, it has been one frustrating week but I guess, that's life. What's life without tumbles and turns eh? C'est la vie bak kata orang Perancis. Emmm... the person I was looking for desperately this morning turned out to be in Paris right now. I'm so jealous but again.. C'est la vie!

Hoping for a better week next week... If not, kena cari batu belah batu bertangkup. Kat mana eh?

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Humanity is still alive and kickin' even during this economically trying period. I am glad for that. And I am humbled.

It all started when one cardiologist friend (let's call him Dr T) asked me whether I want to chip in monetarily to help save a patient's life. Frankly, I thought he was joking at first knowing how much money will be needed for an angioplasty especially that the patient in question is a foreigner. An illegal immigrant to be precise. But Dr T was very serious about it and couldn't accept the fact that the poor guy will be left alone without the best treatment just because of his status. This particular patient came in with a massive heart attack and had another one while in the ward but kept the pain to himself because he was scared of the increasing hospital bills.

Over a quick lunch, Dr T, another cardiologist friend (let's call her Dr I) and I (let's call me Ms RC..heheh..) started reminiscing the good ol' UK days where medical treatment was (and still is) free for everybody without bias, irrespective whether you are locals or foreigners; with medical insurance or not. Long waiting time yes, but everyone still receive the best standard of care unlike in some other countries (this country included). Driven by Dr T's passion to serve, Dr I and Ms RC started to make some phonecalls here and there to find any individuals or NGOs who could help fund the patient's procedure bills. One of my call recipients was Sis K, a super senior from my alma mater whom I know has been involved heavily in charity, locally and internationally. When all the other calls were cut short and requests for help turned down due to patient's illegal status, Sis K continued asking for more details. Thinking she would only forward the details to any NGOs she knew, I didn't put much hope but surprise, surprise... within two days, Sis K managed to raise RM1k to help fund the patient's angioplasty and within 3 days, the amount doubled.

Life is full of surprises eh... I am glad that people like Sis K and those generous individuals who have contributed still exist in this messed-up world. The patient did undergo the angiogram and angioplasty that he needed and has now been discharged from the hospital. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart...

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Finally turned up for basketball yesterday morning after almost 3 months of no show. Got a lot of sticks from the boys for my very poor attendance but glad that I came.. got to know that one of the old gang and a good friend will be flying off to Mumbai for a short-noticed new work assignment and he'll be away for 2-3 years. Looks like I've just lost one of my loyal car-pooling buddies then.. Obviously, I am happy for him...we all are, but guess the once closely-knitted gang is now slowly disintegrating with every one of us taking up new challenges in our lives..

Good luck mate and have fun.. you definitely deserve this big break!

Intermission

Words don't come easy.. (although yes, I can talk and talk and talk....and talk at times. It is not the same you see!)

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Photos from my recent trips including the KK trip were finally uploaded last weekend here. Ya encik, saya berjaya!

Tinggi melangit

Macam jagung rongak, kan?

A few years ago, I used to hate this building and a couple more buildings nearby. During those dark months (or probably years), these buildings were associated with all that went wront in my life and looking at them used to bring lumps in my throat and sharp pain in my heart. But as time went by, new (happier) memories were created and the ill-feelings disappeared..slowly but surely. Well, except one.

kalau terpandang, kadang-kadang masih rasa nak bom juga bangunan itu ;)

Anyway, my family and I went to KLCC park a few weeks ago because one hyper kid wanted so much to play there. But by the time we arrived, the lad has lost his hyper-ness and fell asleep, much to my annoyance. We tried all sorts of tricks to wake him up but failed. At the end, I just walked around the park and snapped some photos..


Tidur tak ingat dunia

First appearance

I was in Kota Kinabalu three weekends ago (yes this post is way overdue!) to help out Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) in their first ever mission in East Malaysia under the Eid Gift 2008 programme (food distribution to the poor); a continuation from Feed the Fasting Programme conducted throughout the last Ramadhan.

5 staff of IRM and 2 volunteers (Salina and yours truly) went and we were aided by the staff of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). We were taken to Tanjung Rhu for lunch as soon as we arrived. I was so tempted to jump into the sea but that would defeat the purpose of this visit, wouldn't it? So yes, I managed to exercise self-restraint and moved on..



Soon after lunch, we went straight to UMS and the preparation for the event began immediately. The security staff of UMS lent us a big hand and made the packing process so easy. I think this is the first time we had men in uniforms involved in the our Feed the Fasting/ Eid Gift project.. not bad eh?





Once the packing job was completed, we were sent to our 'home' for the night to rest. We were given a dorm at the fourth floor of a students' hall (penat panjat tangga ok!) and we had fun reminiscing the good ol' college years while we were there!



After breakfast the next morning, we went straight to Masjid Kampung Ketiau to prepare for the formal distribution to the 100 chosen recipients. While the UMS staff busied themselves downloading the goods, IRM staff went around to do some groundwork by interviewing some of the recipients. The event was very well-organised by the mosque committee.. very simple yet meaningful, I'd say.





Surprisingly, YB Dato' Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin came to give us his support (and he was on time unlike some other VIPs!). I don't normally fancy politicians but this particular man was very simple, down-to-earth and gave quite a good speech on the need of nurturing volunteerism among the local youth so yeah, he got my vote!







Once the formal event was over, we went on to do what we do best... we went on house visits to a couple of villages. I believe this is always the crucial part of the programme when we really get to know the unfortunates and their problems. Sometimes, they don't want anything more apart from just a shoulder to cry on or a pair of ears to listen to their woes. I wished we had more time to spend with them but we were on a tight schedule especially that we were escorted by the Village Head and UMS staff. Hope to meet them again someday..








The staff (big boss included!) of IRM, UMS staff and the Village Head of Kampung Contoh

There are more things to share... but I am just too lazy to type and to further delay this post is just silly. Anyway, the reason of me posting this is not to boast of the work that IRM does but merely to create awareness among my friends and blogreaders. There are more poor people out there who are in need and can benefit from our contribution be it time, energy or monetary. It can be through IRM, any other NGOs or even personally... Whatever it is... do give back to the community if you can ya!

God bless Malaysia..

(more photos at my fotopages later...bila rajin eh!)

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My heart sank when I saw this at the Philippino Market. How could they??? This photo was actually taken by Salina since I was too 'emo' to take it myself! Poor seahorses!

Selingan

This is the reason why you shouldn't feed small kids with chocolates:

All nice and proper at the beginning..


And the cake arrived..


And he enjoyed it very much..


And the sugar rush came..





Happy belated 3rd Birthday Khai Benjamin.. yes, we know you loved the cake!

p/s Now I know where I learnt peace signs/ hand gestures while posing for photos from.. it's in the gene (just look at my dad if you don't believe me!)

Ini adalah entri emo

Emo Satu:

Came back from a night out with my girlfriends last night and found out my spare tyre was stolen (my car is a Kembara hence the external access to the tyre).. my car was parked right in from of my house with the gate lights all lit up ok.. Ba ba black sheep betul!

This is the third crime-related incidents that had happened right in front of our doorstep in the last year. It started with this the previous Ramadhan, then this a few months ago. Petty crimes you may say but do bear in mind that ALL the houses surrounding mine already had their properties broken into.. another had it 3-4 times in a space of 2 years and one even had parang on their necks during the robbery. My neighbourhood (or at least my stretch of road) is a nice place to stay due to its quietness but that is also a huge disadvantage. Having elderly people as the majority of my neighbours seem to attract the unwanted attention as well... talk about taking advantage of the weak eh! grrr..

This time, I didnt even bother to make police report, unlike my sister and my dad before. Why should I waste my time knowing fully well that nothing will come out of it? Few years ago, we used to have police patrol cars going around the area every now and then to give some sense of safety, but now...zilch! I guess they're more busy handling sodomy, Hindraf and all those craps we get to read on mainstream newpapers these days than installing peace and order for the general rakyat. Sheeshh!

Emo dua:

Went to get my car washed an hour ago and was pointed out by the carwash guy that I have a screw embedded on my left back tyre. Must be one of those lost when the thief ripped off the cover of the spare tyre last night. The carwash guy actually said "kereta awak ni macam langsuir pulak yek..ada tanam paku!".. grrr, not funny ok! Looks like I need to get 2 new tyres now instead of just one..isk..

Emo tiga:

I was stuck in my office most of the past week due to a number of projects that needed me to be in front of the PC (writing up presentations, protocols and reports).. I do get cranky whenever this happens because I am sooo not a desk-job type of person, so yeah, I have been a bit cranky this week. Decided to change my mood yesterday, I braved myself and left all those unfinished paperworks behind and went up to the wards to do my real job. When I got there, the nurses were buzzing about the gossip of the day ( yes, one of the plus points doing the real job is the chance to get updated with all the latest gossips!) i.e. about Norman Hakim getting caught at 2am with a 20-year old new actress in his office.

I am not into local celebrity gossips that much but this particular headline caught my attention for 2 reasons. Firstly, his pretty wife just gave birth to their third child like a month ago...what the heck was he doing in his office at 2am with a girl half his age? Working on a script? Blaghh.. Secondly, funny because it was reported that he hid in a store room when the premise was ambushed. Such a cowardice act! And this was not his first infidelity act too. There was a reported brief affair with a singer before, resulting in him divorcing his wife temporarily (sounds familiar?) last year.

I can't tolerate irresponsible people and infidels that well but I hate cowards even more! (ya, saya sangat emo ok..)

Emo empat (updated 3.30am, sunday morning):

Spurs 2 - Reds 1.... arghhh!

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A friend first introduced me to this song a couple of months ago and when he finally gave a copy of its single, this song straightaway received regular airtime on my laptop and phone.. A beautiful and soothing song, would you agree? I like the original version better but it's taking ages to upload it to IMEEM so just make do with this version ok..