Odysseys of George

As life cruises along; vita non est vivere sed valere

Browsing Posts in On a personal note

Why do we do it?

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It was 1992, goodness, a good 16 years ago, I took my first steps emulating all my sisters walking into the halls of fame in this prestigious or maybe once prestigious university in the country and perhaps once upon a time, in South East Asia, University Malaya.

As I walk these steps, a mental slide show begins to reel. It starts with me in Standard Three, when I remember my teacher, asked the class who wants to be a doctor and why. Strangely, 5 of us lifted our arms and out of that 3 of us have somehow manage to achieve it. A smile arched across my face as I vividly remember telling my teacher I love blood! Goodness she must have thought I was mental!

Life wasn’t a bed of roses. I wasn’t the best in class only getting the idea of studying in Form 4, I trailed and toiled and somehow rolled together with the best in my school till I somehow manage to breathe the air of this prestigious hall. Must be my mom’s prayers, I believe. She used to pray for us before we sat for our exams but for me it was different – whenever she prays and tells me all will be well, it would not be. Thus she stopped saying anything but continued praying — I must say I believed in that more than what I studied.

From a prestigious school to a prestigious university, all I could feel was of pride. It was not too long afterwards, that I realized that medical school was a total different ball game. As i stepped into the Dean’s office for the interview, I was asked why choose medicine and I was silent as if to question why not. I looked at the aging professor, and said, ” I always felt like doing it, no second thoughts, but perhaps the most obvious reason was that I would love to help people.” I smiled as I exited the room.

Now 16 years forward, I find myself in constant asking of that very same question. Somehow, this simple question does not seem to be the easiest to answer truthfully. With changing times, more financial strain, difficulties in progressing in the profession, this question truthfully is difficult.

Then, a few days ago, I saw my patient and I realized something. She was a young lady in her 40s with young kids, suffering from Oesophageal cancer. Oesophagectomy (removal of the oesophagus) is a surgical procedure with high morbidity and mortality and thus many shrug away at doing this. The surgery was done 10 days ago. A few days ago, she was already walking about and having soft diet with no major complaints. As I walked towards her, the first thing I realized was the smile she presented to me. That was the biggest present any patient can give their doctor, a smile in return. I was flushed with enthusiasm and I realized that the answer to that very question has never changed. Nothing could be above that smile she gave me, not even the powers above that deprive me of going further for I have already gone a little further. After working for 11 years, still a young doctor and surgeon in comparison, I have learnt to many things and yet has still much too learn. Medicine is a of progressive learning and the best teachers are your patients and not the textbook.

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Well, I have been waiting for this and now I manage to go for the 26th July performance. That would be the only day I would be free to catch and of course the highlight for me was to catch Mia Palencia.

The venue was at Plaza Mont Kiara. The layout was acceptable. It was packed when I reached there with the center area just in front of the stage being left empty. Many photographers took this to their advantage as I grow in jealousy to see them aiming their delicious gadgets (DSLR) and having the time of their life taking shots .

The music I felt was too loud at its bases. The crowd was there quite obviously for Mia Palencia because by the end of Phunk Mob performance which was for me was a little lack of the jazz soul, most had left and the audience picked up again just before Mia Palencia came back on stage at 11.15 pm. Bassgroove 100 played just before Mia came on stage and they were good but with the anticipation and the warm and humid environment, the audience was geting restless a little. Things were not the same the day before as many reviews said that the 25th performance was fantastic and so was the turnout. It was also too hot and humid for the musicians who were drenched in sweat just about 10 minutes into their performance.


Mia Palencia

I did my share for the local jazz industries by buying Mia’s and Karen Nunis’s albums. No matter what, personally I think this was of good effort and should be done regularly. Jazz awareness is still quite infantile in Malaysia but that is also because jazz is a lot about the feelings and moods of the musicians and harmony between them, which is also why not many people take to jazz easily. Even for me, there are some forms of jazz that is difficult to like. Hmmm….. maybe I should do some research on jazz then…..hmmm.

Sultan Abdul Hamid Collegians can stand proud again as this prestigious school once again stand above all to celebrate its 100years.

KSAH 100

The celebration activities actually started in Jun last year with a fund raising dinner held at PWTC organised by SAHOCA on the 3rd of November 2007.

Tomorrow, there would be a THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY HUNT.

KSAH

The SAHOCA Treasure Hunt 2008 with the theme “ Jom Sambut 100 Tahun Kolej” was initiated by SAHOCA Selangor/ Kuala Lumpur to motivate ex-collegians in the Klang Valley to make a journey to Alor Setar and partake in the festivities organized in conjunction with the 100 years Kolej celebration and events.

The starting point is the Car Park B, One Utama Shopping Kompleks, Petaling Jaya and he finishing pint is the Kolej School Hall, in Alor Setar.

The flag off will be at 7.45am on the 24th July 2008 and the closing time of arrival is at 5.00pm at Kolej Hall, Alor Setar.

PROGRAM FOR TREASURE HUNT 2008 – ( 24th July 2008. )

7.00 am
Gathering at Car Park B, One Utama, PJ
7.15 am
Final Briefing by Hunt Club, Organiser
7.45am
Flag- Off by VIP Hunt will traverse North South Highway and into Kedah – Entry into Alor Setar is the North Toll PlazaTreasure Hunting around Alor Setar with relevance points of interest to Kedahan and ex Collegians

5.00pm
Hunt Closes at Kolej Hall, Alor SetarAfternoon Tea at Kolej Hall
6.30 pm
LCD Answer presentation and Prize Award
7.00pm
Event Ends

On the 26th of July, would be the Centenary Celebration Day.

For a walk down the memory lane, check out Down Memory Lane

As for me, I would have to miss it. I am on call tomorrow and would have to work on Saturday too.
However, I have a facebook group that I have created which have managed to bring together many of us. Hopefully the group can do more that just be online.

On Bitterness

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I read a passage, and this part captured my attention which was relevant to present situation.

In June 1966, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a celebrated boxer, along with an acquaintance were convicted of murder in a highly publicized and racially charged trial. The boxer maintained his innocence and became his own jailhouse lawyer. After serving 19 years, Carter was released when the verdict was overturned. As a free man, he reflected: “Wouldn’t anyone under those circumstances have a right to be bitter? . . . I’ve learned that bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it. And for me to permit bitterness to control or infect my life in any way whatsoever would be to allow those who imprisoned me to take even more than . . . they’ve already taken.”

When we hold on to disappointment, a poisonous root of bitterness begins to grow.


When angry feelings go unchecked,
They’ll mushroom into hate;
So don’t let time feed bitterness—
Forgiveness must not wait. —Sper

Bitterness is a root that ruins the garden of peace.

ref: RBC ministries

Where have I been?

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Wow! I can’t believe it! It has been almost 3 months and about 6 months since writing my blog became slightly erratic – hmmm…. an understatement actually almost lifeless. It was during these times that I was reflecting on my life and despite many loyal readers who have asked as to why I stopped blogging – it was purely — i lost the beat and momentum to write. There were days when I had many things to write but the words were missing. There were days when I wonder how much I can write as I find there are some who rather spend their time analyzing ways to get back at me. My life has been alike the highs and lows of a manic – depressive person but I have somehow manage to keep myself sane. Problems seem to be hurdling into me in every direction and consume me. Then recently, after having gone through the lowest ever moment in my life, the great depression in my life, I found a spark to lift my spirits high and soar through the skies. I hope this is not another manic phase though it has all the criteria for one actually.

So I promise to start again – those medical articles, the personal ones , travel blogs and above all my diving articles.

It all started on facebook. The need to gather my long lost friends made me decide to start a group for my batch specifically and my school generally. It was the group called College Sultan Abdul Hamid. Though wrongly coined as it is supposed to be Sultan Abdul Hamid College, I decided to continue the group. It was slow but thanks to photos uploaded by Alex and Ujin, the group took off well. Old memories rekindled and the need to know was just insatiable.

Then we decided to meet up – just to get the ball rolling. It was a little jittery at first but somehow we made it.

Meeting point – Bangsar Shopping Centre

Dining at Dome

Attendance: Allan, Alex, Christopher and his fiance, Wen Shioung and his wife and kid, Vernon and I

It could have been more but such impromptu meet is difficult to entertain sometimes.

Time: 7pm

I remember feeling excited about the whole thing. Early in the morning, Alex smsed me to confirm that he was going. Then it was all quiet till Vernon smsed me too saying he and Shioung was coming and both were trying to get the rest to come. As I was getting ready, Vernon called again sounding worried that there was nobody that were coming. I reassured myself and him. Allan then smsed me to say he had just noted the meet and I invited him immediately.

Allan was there first then I. The rest arrived shortly and we headed to the Dome after a brief introduction. We were surprised and pleased to meet all. It has been a long time. I have not met Alex for 14 years and Allan and Chris for 12 years. Vernon, I met him last was 3 years ago and Wen Shiung was last year.

From left to right: Allan , Alex , Christopher, Chris es’ GF, Wen Shioungs’ Wife , Kid and Wen Shioung and lastly Vernon Seaton.

Allan looks the same and so did Alex. Chris have the same features but has put on some weight. Vernon and Wen Shiong look the same too. I wonder how much I have changed?

We spoke and chatted till we were tired. We left Dome at 10pm saying our goodbyes and with hope to have another meet soon – this time with a larger group and more variety to the palate. He He!

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