Temptations

In our daily life as mere mortals, we are often faced with temptations -  huge ones and itsy bitsy ones. That has proven to provide some of the more colorful characters you see walking on earth. People doing anything to try to  fulfill their temptations.

Working in an engineering company means that I am used to crunching numbers and reviewing nitty gritty details. What with the current trend of miniaturization and cost efficiency - this sometimes translated to hours of discussion on how to reduce 2mm of the height of your product.

Where are you going with this, you ask? Well, this just means that I appreciate the work that engineers do - the (brilliant and tedious) work of innovations that goes behind a function.  Try getting your Magnesium chassis to pass 48 hours salt fog test and pressure cooker test. and you'll know what I mean. So it is normal that I am awed by products that is ATEX and IPX compliant, a product that is so tough - it is nicknamed 'gorilla glass'. 

Which brings me back to the temptation thingy. I see a new gadget with gorilla glass, is water and dust resistant, and flips and back-flips - temptation flocks in. Whether or not I succumbed to the temptation, well that is my lil secret....

The spate of suicides reported in our local dailies is indeed alarming. Not sure whether this is just a recent trend, or it has been around for some time - just without the intense highlights.

There's the case of the high school girl, supposedly posting out her intent online - only to be chided by her friends. This sound all too familiar. Haven't we heard of this tragedy over and over before. 




But the tragedy that really tugs into my heart is when is involves innocent life. The hapless. Children and babies who deserve to a chance in this world. Being a mother myself, I could never imagined throwing my babies off the 4th floor or feeding them rat poison. But then what do I know. They might have something terrible that drove them to this unfortunate act.

Let's just pray that we are spared from whatever misery that could cloud our judgement....and let our children have a glimmer of hope in this world that we are living.....

Worst Driver?

It was in the Sunday Times recently - sms mentioning that Penangites are Malaysian's worst driver. This is followed by similar nod the next week. Hhhmmm....really? But I have to admit that I've heard similar complaints myself - from people who commutes in KL - on the Penangites worst (driving) attitude.

I have witnessed some as well. From Kancil to CLS 320. Instead of queuing like everybody else - especially near traffic light junctions - they will drive all the way to the junction, and then squeeze their way in front of you. In some instances, we had to literally make a sudden stop - to avoid collision with them! What a p****! And this is not confined to the male species...

Whenever there is a small space (say emergency lane), you bet somebody is going to squeeze in - though they are well aware that the lane is only 10m - as they will then incessantly squeeze their way back in (the main lane).

Just the other day, I say a super expensive CLS trying to maneuver others. He refused to queue and instead opted to drive his expensive car on the gravel and when the grave ends, pushed his way back to the main road! Probably it is just me. I mean when you see somebody driving a gleaming car, you have certain expectations -  the person to be of a very good upbringing, is reserved and polished - and when they act like some thugs on the road well, it simply doesn't jive!

I was in my hometown recently. During a stop at a traffic light - I saw a local driver who suddenly maneuvered from the right most lane to the left most lane - way over the yellow line (on a 3 lane road) - 3 seconds before the light turned green. I was shocked. 'wohoo....so they are wrong after all....it's Kuantan and not Penang - who has the worst driver' was my comment to dearest hubby. Then we headed to  a well known nasi lemak restaurant, where we parked near the roadside in front of the place. 

When it was time to leave, guess what we saw? A car conveniently parked beside a van in front of the restaurant. Basically double parking in front of the jammed packed eating place. There was just a small space to squeeze through. And since our ride that day equals a big-sized van - it took a while and  and  sheer patience to slowly trudged through. Hubby reminded me 'Take a look at the car plate'. Sure enough it starts with P**. Guess that re-claims the award which not one hour ago awarded to Kuantan drivers!

Hmmm...but seriously speaking - is that really the case? I have seen fair share of reckless driving in Klang Valley. And about road rage and thugs in KL and Johor and other states. It is all up to the individual - and not from which states he/she comes from....

Amazing Lil Gray Matter

The Lil' Gray Matter is simply amazing.

Case to point - I had the opportunity to use a software that I have not used for years - make that 7 years. Previously I used to work with the software (albeit an older version) - for engineering design.

Anyway, I was forced to reconnect with the software recently.  I was apprehensive at first. Mind you in the last 7 years I have not  used it - not even once!  Hence,  it was a (nice) surprised to discover that within hours it all automatically comes back! All the tricks - the software uses action shortcut commands via left button mouse - were like in the tip of my fingers.


Amazing, doesn't it???? A friend noted that it is possibly because when I used the software, I know all the 'behind the scenes' logic- unlike those who are just pure users. Anyway - it was a a very good feeling, to know that I still 'got it'!


Well, the truth is that  I have this problem with names and at times faces. And matching names to faces or faces to names....Typical scenario : a person comes to my side and greeted me - by my name. I'll smile and start scrambling for a name and recognition - is this person from my primary school, or secondary school (2 schools!) or during my brief stint in SMART or a friend from ITM or from university or from work or acquaintances....I'll end up mumbling something generic - which can be depressingly embarasing.

I can't blame it on age, as I have always been like - for as long as I can remember. I am not the person who will light up a party. Never the one to initiate a small talk - unless cornered. And I just pray that others will not notice how uncomfortable I am. Personal space is important to me - probably part of the mild OCD (yeah, blame that!).


Well, I still got the flair of the software, that's good enough, right? Ha..ha.ha...

Happy New Year 2011

It is now 10.10pm, 31st of Dec 2010. In less than 2 hours, we will usher in 2011 - the start of a new decade.

It is now almost a year, when I started to (seriously) write in here - though most of the times I struggled - what with work, family and what not. 

Anyway, the first thing that pops into everyone's mind every New Year is resolution. I'm not a fan. In fact I have never officially list down what I intend to achieve in a particular year. I strive to do the best that I can - professionally and in personal life. I don't see a point of putting resolution such as losing 5kg, only to be depressed because by the end of the year, you actually gain 2 kg!

Other than resolution for the New Year, another favorite topic is reflections. Yup, reflections on the things that the last year bestowed upon you. It's good if it actually triggers  you to do even better....but to cry over spilled milk? What a waste!

Year 2010 was a good year for me...there was ups and there was also downs. I was admitted a few times, but the good news was, I recovered! I finally gained weight - and for the first time my weight exceeded the 45 - 47kg which normally where it hovered. The bad news is that since now I am now of normal weight (instead of underweight) - I can no longer fit in some of my tight skinny jeans. Which includes the limited edition pencil fit brown Levis I adored. On the other hand, it now gives me a reason to shop for new wardrobe.

Yeah - always take positive things in life.....that's a motto that I find benefits us the best.

Anyway, Happy New Year.....Let's hope that whatever we d, Allah's blessing is always with us.....Aminnnn.....

Comedic Relief

It has been a while since my last post. I know I need to be more disciplined....but hey, I read an article once on the dying art of blogging - with the blooming of social networks and constant on the go update (or shall I say tweets).

What I would like to share today is god's greatest gift to a mum - her child/children. After a hard day's work - it is really a relief to go back home to your loved ones....and what is better than having kids providing you with the much needed comedic relief. Sometimes I do sheepishly mentioned to my other half - what would we do, without these little clowns.....

Case in mind - while having dinner the other day - a ritual which I intend to maintain - a dinner where everybody sit down and share not only food by anything under the sea (I mean, stories) - the conversation was heading towards the rice that we ate. My daughter was asking 'nasi datang dari mana?' 'beras' was my answer....'beras datang dari mana?'.....'padi' was answer.....'Padi tu datang dari Tesco ke?'........


We had good hearty laugh thanks to my dearest daughter....but who can blame her? She has never been in a paddy field....and sure enough, we get our rice from Tesco.....


Last week, she scratched her knee - quite badly I should say - by cheekily daring a neighbor friend with the 'you cannot catch me' catch-phrase. As a result she was traumatized, hardly able to control herself. She refused to even sit down, let alone stand up. After much coaxing, we managed to convince her to take a bath - sitting down. She was really in agony that myself and dearest hubby had to really hold ourselves - refrain from laughing or even chuckled. I had to hold her hand - just like when she was learning to walk! Than hubby promised her ice-cream - if she walk without assistance. After dinner, off they go - to 7 eleven for some ice-cream....The ice-cream trick succeed. She was like a new person - a 180 deg turn from her earlier self. She was talking non stop to - when asked whether she was in pain, she coyly said 'dah tak sakit dah....tadi sakit, cam tak boley jalan...tapi sebanarnye boleh pulak jalan'......


Kids will be kids...

Something to be thankful for....

It was a few days before my bi-anneal executive medical check up when I noticed it. An ultra sound confirmed it. I was advised to consult ENT - but since it was a day before Ramadhan, it got delayed.


Ramadhan came and by the time I was ready, it was the end of Syawal. I went to see the ENT on Monday. Endoscopy was performed.There was the lump but  on the positive side - there were no signs of trauma or inflammation - and I have no difficulty in swallowing. I went for a CT-Scan - which showed a goiter in the thyroid gland. 


I was referred to a surgeon, that afternoon itself. After consultation - it was agreed that the lump shall be removed by a minor surgery on Thursday.


On Wednesday, I was in the office in the morning. After lunch, I went back and prepared 'ayam masak lemak cili api' for dinner and sent my kids to their 'Qiraati' class - before heading to the hospital at 3.45pm. 


I was admitted to the ward and met both the surgeon and anesthetist - to prepare for the surgery. The kids came to visit we had the  home cooked dinner there.  I was reminded to start fasting by midnight.

That night I had my eldest with me in the ward - as companion! He was happy  to comply - as it mean being alone with mama - with no lil sisters bugging! 

The next morning, I was feeling nervous and anxious. I was told that after surgery, I will be  sent to the High Dependency Unit - due to my infections history. It meant that I need to vacate my room as none of the kids will be able to visit me that night. I changed to my surgery gown by 9 am and was wheeled to the operation 'prep room' by 9.30am. I was hooked to an IV - since I was still fasting (not even plain water was allowed!) while waiting for my turn.


I waited, and waited and waited. A few patients already came and go. We were still waiting for my surgeon. I took the time to recite some prayers, to calm me down - hopefully the surgery will run smoothly - and successfully. 

'OK Kak, Dr dah datang'......said the nurse to me - as they wheeled me into the operation theater. The first thing that caught my  mind was the smell - that sterile, distinctively clean hospital smell. The clock on the wall showed 10.45am. 

The room was abuzz with activities and I saw my surgeon, my anesthetist and a few nurses/surgery assistants. They lifted me onto the operation theater. It felt cold and then a sudden rush of warmth....must be a heating pad underneath. They were hooking me up to various tubes and wires. Then a nurse told me 'close your eyes and breathe deeply'. Then she asked me to open my eyes. 'We are going to give you gas - so breathe deeply'. I took a deep breath, another deep breath, another deep breath......

'Kak, kakak...dah siap dah'...one of the nurses were trying to wake me up. But I felt groggy...and oh, so very sleepy. I can hardly open my eyes....Then another nurse - one which I recognize - as she was the sister in the executive ward - stood beside me and said that I will  be sent back to my room. They lifted me back to my bed and wheeled me back to the my room which was on the 3rd floor. All this while I was still half asleep. Suddenly I heard 'Hey, this is my engineer'. Yeah, yeah...this IS my engineer. Has..Has...' I slowly opened my eyes, only to see my RND Director standing beside my bed - in the elevator!!!! I mumbled something (which I can't recall).

When I was finally in my room - the sister asked me' Was that your boss, just now?' 'Yeah, he's my big, big boss!'....It was 1.15pm and I was alone in the room. Half an hour later, my hubby came. He was surprised to see me there - as I was expected to be in HDU. He mentioned that my big boss called him - thanks to the lift incident! I looked like crap - what with my surgery gown and the bandages over my neck!


As the pain killer subsided, I started to feel the pain and had difficulty in swallowing. I can't talk properly, and my voice was very soft. The Dr came in about 3 pm and clarified that after surgery, they monitored my vital for half and hour - and since everything was great - they decided that I did not need to be in HDU! A piece of good news.


It was 4 pm and I have not had a drop of water....so I asked my hubby for a sip. I was on painkillers and more antibiotics. By 5 pm I took a few sips of milo and removed my surgery gown. My supervisor and and a friend came to visit. I felt a lot better, though swallowing was still very painful.


I was told that the pain was due to the  (huge!) tube that was inserted inside my mouth up to my throat - and also because of the strain - as my head was pulled way back to clear the base neck area...fuh.....


It is now almost a week - and I have gotten the good news that the lump is indeed benign....Alhamdulliah....thank you ALLAH.....