Looking Back

Today is the 30th of December and as 2005 slowly inches away into oblivion and the new millinium turns 6, it would be interesting to reflect on what has actually transpired over the eventful 2005. During the long and ardous journey that is 2005, many things had happen, some good and some bad, but funny that the bad ones is usually more prominent. As they all said, bad things usually retain longer than good ones, and in this aspect I agree totally. It would be best to put it in chronological order, ala the newspapers by describing it on a monthly basis.

January
As I recalled, nothing much, I have been busy with the day to day running of my clinic, had a couple of brushes with my ex, nothing significant, but had some inclination that things aren't working out like what I anticipated, Busy spending money then having to buy loads of things for the coming Chinese New Year, keeping everything in check and balancing my accounts. As it is, January is right after the year end holidays and people are hard pressed for cash, and because of this business have been pretty slow.

Febuary
The month of Chinese New Year and also one of the most memorable month.
My Brother Mike came back with his kids and we had a great at the commencement of this month. It was busy as we were busy with preparing for CNY. I remembered buying lots of things as it was tradition to buy gifts for my ex's family, as she was driving back to her hometown, I passed some "mandarin" oranges, barbequed meat, meat floss, some canned food, preserved stuffs and some bird's nest. I had to do things on a last minute basis as I was still working until the eve of CNY. She drove back immediately. That was also the last day that I was attached. Come the second day of CNY, I went for a movie with a male friend, I recall that it was a Cantonese movie called "Seoul raiders". Nothing to shout about, but my ex called me around 80 times during the 2 hours I spend watching the movie. I didn't answer her as I put it on silent mode. All hell broke loose after that and it sort of became a catalysts to a breakup.

March
A bad month, the anniversary of my business. It's already been one year and it was slow owing I suspect to post CNY. Collection was down by a hefty 40%, I had to dig money from reserves to cover the overheads, also having sleepless nights as it was common during the night that my ex calls me, to fight and to hurl verbal abuses. Profanic smses, and what not, threats and also pleads. It was actually something that she said that pushed me towards firmity. I was so totally taken aback when she said that my infirmed mom would hopefully give me more problems! What was that? it actually became the pillar and the strongest precedent for me to be firm and stick to my decision. Also the month that I plonked my deposit on my first property. I decided that it was high time to commit myself to something. Funny thing that I bought it with my ex in mind even to the extend of dishing out extra for an additional parking lot!

April
Similar to March, due to insomnia, I turn to the bottle, I had been affected so much with the breakup that it was affecting my wellbeing. I had been drastically loosing weight, and it has dropped from a high of 72kgs to 63kgs. Looks sickly as well as having dark circles on my eyes. It was a bad time. I couldn't sleep even with alcohol, and sleeping a max of 3 hours a day. Also having the hassle of buying the condominium with it's endless going through legal documentations and payments, arranging for loan and also aggreements.

May
Went for a holiday 2 days to Penang my friend, just to unwind myself. Drove there to visit my friend and his wife for I haven't been visited them for over a year. I received a call from my sister that mom was very sick, had to cut short my time in Penang and drove back. Mum was very sick then, didn't expect her to pull through then, but with the grace of god, she did. I tried everything and even my brother came back from Perth. Also to kill time, started joining the local Real Estate Forum.

June
One of the longest month, daily travelling up and down back home. Also the month that was pretty difficult, for I have every inkling to give my previous relationship a try. Wrote a few emails to her and even to the extend of sending my ex a card to arrange for a meeting end of July. Mum was doing better with appropriate care. The month of crazy anticapation. Also the month that I started blogging. Pretty memorable actually.

July
Ex's birthday month, she is a Leo and this is her month.Travelling back home is like a daily ritual, but something which is good news is that Mom has miraculously stabled a bit and she can tolerate oral feeding. The meeting that I had initiated turn to naught. She didnt turn up even inspite of waiting for 6 hours alone. The specifics was blogged actually. All in all a pretty depressing month. But at least I HAVE and HAD tried.

August
Work and work is the most prominent thing on my mind. Commited to buying my Xray Machine after contemplating for a very long time. Mom's health has actually stabilised a bit, Not much problem work wise, business has picked up somewhat. Also had the first forum gathering on this month. Met and got to know a few people and learnt a lot of things regarding real estate investment then. Stoked my interests in investing and diversifying my investment portfolio.

September
Still reeling from the after effects of the breakup. I had tried making friends with people, and eventhough I with lots of efforts, it didn't turn up fruitful as I surmise my timings and working hours are pretty long. Suspected that it would be detrimental to my health and as such I had plans to probably hunt for a "partner". Along the way I'd also met a few good net friends, bunnywunny, winn, greenmango. Also made an effort to meet up with a few people, but suffice to say, timings wasn't ideal as well as I didn't want to be involved for fear of being on a "rebound"!

October
Organised the second gathering among the fellow forum members, it was fun. Meet up with all the more experienced forum members in Devino and had a jolly time. Also tried to refocus my aims by distracting my mind by going for regular badminton. Also attended the xray course in order to be eligible to obtain an xray licence. A bleak and dark month. As most would would probably know, mom passed away at 30th of this month. All in all it was a terrible and stressful month. Unexpectedly mom took a turn for the worst during the concluding part of the month. The only positive thing was that at least all her children are with her and have the opportunity to see her before she passed on. Had tried albeit unsuccessfully to prolong her time but alas I had to relent as it was painful to see her in her state.

November
A hectic month having to do prayers and ceremonies for mom. Visited and arraged for the grave visit. Also the month when my brother left to go back to his life in Perth. At least it was toning down and things are going back to "normal". Less hectic towards the end of the month. I had the audacity to attend the 3rd Gathering for the real estate forum and it was okay. It works especially to take my mind from mom and my ex. On a lighter note, my mind is slowly springing free from my ex.

December
This month. I will be leaving for Beijing, Shenyang and Harbin later tonite the 30th of December. The xray machine has been installed and the licence is still pending, inspite of applying for close to 6 months due majorly to the fact that the goverment machinery is totally inept and incompetent. I guess I can only commence usage next year. Business has been slow primarily due to the year end "syndrome". Many had taken long holidays owing to the combined Christmas and New Year.

Reflecting back 2005 bags a lot of sentimental and unhappy episode in my life, being tumultous and such. I hope and pray that in the coming new year 2006, would bring forth good experience and happiness. Putting past dues behind me, I will venture into the new year brimming with hope and ideals. I hope it will be fruitful and bears good tidings to everyone. May God Bless. Happy New Year 2006, and may it brings Prosperity, Happiness, Good Luck, and most importantly Good Health!

Tsunami and Boxing Day

Exactly 365 days ago, today, a giant Tsunami triggered by the movement of teutonic plates off the coasts of Sumatra cause untold misery to millions of people. More than a quarter of a million people perished and many more millions affected and being displaced by this catastrophe.

The news circulating in the mass media nowadays is about the generous donations that has been collected and what actually happen to it. The amount collected is tremendous and it even needs some audit firms to actually audit the accounts. There was some news regarding the misappropriation of some of the funds but I think if this is true and if there is some amount of money siphoned away; the guilty party will have to answer to a higher being for stealing monies meant to alleviate the victims of Tsunami. I reckon even with whatever measures taken, there are bound to be greedy people who misappropriate funds. This is the worst kind, robbing from the needy for self gratification.

I reckon this is immaterial for the exact true meaning of helping others transcends any monetary and physical matters, I had previously, because of concerns of inappropriate management of funds, donated 6 cartons of Panadol (tm) tablets and a carton of milk powers. I hope that the medicines had reached the intended targets and at least benefit some victims of Tsunami. I wanted to be physically present and treat any people affected by it, but because of timing constrains I was unable to. I pray that what measly offering that I had extended would at least suffice.

I take this opportunity to give a prayer for the victims of 26th of December Tsunami and as a mark of respect, it is with hope that whoever reads this, will give a minute of silence to those who had perished and for the ones who survived, whicheve religion you believe in, you will all be forever in my prayers. May the blessing of the triple gem be upon you all. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Christmas Day

The yuletide feeling of Christmas with it's festive atmostphere is nothing but a lost feeling of euphoria for me as I made my way to work. I wonder how many people are working? Perhaps a small fraction of workforce will actually work as it's Sunday and hence the following day would be a public holiday as well. With this extended weekend, I suspect there will be huge exodus of city folks to other smaller areas to unwind for a quickie holiday. Here I am cooped up in my clinic, waiting for patients to come, but at least there is some amount of clients, most probably, I'd suspect due to other practitioners being closed.

I was totally aghast when I reached my clinic, a car was parked smack, right in my front door, the driver was undoubtedly one of the dimmest character I suspect, and probably lack any civil courtesy as well. It hindered the coming and going of patients as he or she has the audacity to dive up the curb and the pedestrian walkway separating the shoplot and the road. I was totally and utterly flabbergasted and speechless. What am I to do? I reckon this is but a common occurance in their life, and the general Malaysian mentality. How sad! The driver of the said mpv, came to collect his car after an hour or so and yours truly actually gave him ( an old male) a piece of my mind. I couldn't imagine a fatherly figure can be so deficient morally. It's sickening as well as sad, It makes me wonder if a parent can act as unresponsible as this, what'll happen to his children? I shudder to think of what would happen 20 years down the road, the very fabric of society would be composed of people like this,.... sigh**. Well anyway this is supposed to be a blessed day and I reckon I shouldn't get worked out with things like this.

Being a blessed day, eventhough I cannot be out having fun and enjoying the festivities of what this day have to offer, I sent some smses to family and friends and also to wish them a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I couldn't remember the actual numbers of smses that I had sent out but it really took me a while to get it done. I received a few as well, most of them is with some cute emoticons and diagrams of roses and bears. I wonder if all these are being concocted by the telcos in order to entice the subscribers to send more smses? Hmm, conspiracy theory is my cuppa. Kekekeke.

Merry Christmas and have a Blessed day! Ho Ho Ho!

White Holidays

In a few more days, I would be on a flight to unwind, and to recharge my already spent emotional batteries. I will be off to China and I hope that I would at least find myself during this period. I had actually planned for this trip for a very long time, but the thought of leaving my practice closed for the whole duration actually made me think twice. I actually thought of employing another doctor to locum in my clinic. Sad to say that it's difficult finding someone to take care of my clinic while I am away, none wanted to work during this extended holiday season and even if anyone wanted to work, their asking renumeration is too much to bear. I was contemplating not going ahead with my plans of going off and closing for this duration but after careful consideration, I reckon it's not unreasonable to take some well deserved break. I opted to close for a week. I don't know what I decided is the best but I seriously think of if I continue to work, under duress and severe pressure I would eventually snap one fine day.

Perhaps many would think that employing someone is a better alternative, thus giving a sense of continuity but the amount of money that I need to fork out during my duration away would be enormous, and there is always the concern about a different set of patient care compared to mine, and some might even be rude and hence turn my regular patient away. All this are the usual complains and since I have locumed before, many practitioners cautioned me before. Some even are so stingy with prescribing with medications that it's difficult to charge a patient. Theory and practicals have a totally different set of rules.

Well, I will be visiting a few places in China, my first stop would be in Beijing, which is currently reliving one of the coldest recorded temperature these couple of years, and from there I will be travelling up north to Shenyang and it would be even colder. I just checked and it has been hovering around a highest of -9 to the lowest of -19. Brrrrr, it's going to be cold. Actually many friends cautioned me about going at this time, but I reckon I haven't actually experience snowfall before in my live and this time, I am jolly well going to have a first hand glimpse of it.

I have been going around borrowing thick winter clothings from my relatives as well as friends. I think buying a whole set is silly as I would be merely wearing it for a week, nothing more, it's a different thing is I am using it frequently, but nope, it'll just be a one off thing. Those winter clothes are so heavy and darn expensive. I am wondering how to stuff everything into my backpack? Just hope that it's going to be a good break for me, to prevent myself from developing flu, I actually gave myself an antiflu jab! I am currently prepared for a freezing holidays in China! Just hope the experience is similar or even better than what I anticipated!

MEME food tag

Well, I have been tagged without even realising it by gap, a fellow blogger and it's some MEME ( don't know what it means actually) and it's regarding food. I am not a particular big fan of food but I do have to list out 5 of them that is actually my favourite. I reckon that isn't that difficult, just I would think that my criteria for listing it would differ slightly from the general guidelines. Anyway I am unique in this sense mah!

I would get to it in a descending order, from food that has most impression on me:-

5) Crabs

Self cooked, while I was working in Bau, Sarawak, I remembered buying life ones with a close colleague and cooking it ourselves. We didn't know how to do it correctly and instead of cleaning and chopping it right smack in the middle, we just rinsed it in running tap water, to flush out the dirt, and other contaminants. After cleaning it, the live crab would be dumped into a pot of boiling water and the lid closed. No ingredient and seasonings apart from the crabs. Btw, the tatse is beautiful, none adulterated, and "sweet". Cruelty aside, I think that's how 2 bachelors would cook and that's what we did.

4) Indian fried fish with rawa seeds

Stayed in Manipal, India for 6 years and got used to the foods there. I particularly enjoyed my 70cents friend fish (I think sardine) covered in rawa seeds. (Rawa seed is a seed derived from the poppy plant but is itself devoid of any psychotropic effects unlike it's more illustrious "brother"). It's fresh and juicy and comes to boiled rice which is much bigger in size that ur average rice legumes as it balloons into the size pretty similar to "bubble" in bubble tea; The meal comes complete with some veges and curds. I sustained myself there with diets like this for 6 years. Memory of it still sticks to my mind.

3) a. KFC original flavour

Not one that I like, but when I was young, I had a penchant for everything KFCs and I recall that there was such shop near my house. One bucket then was something like 20 ringgit and I remembered I ate ( at the time when I was around 13) 5 pieces of KFC and I ended up being sick and henceforth the smell of it the original KFC turns me off. Talk about overdose!

3) b. Tied with KFC is the undisputed Pasta by my ex.

The pasta cooked by my ex tasted funny as the overcooked and soggy macaroni with the home made pasta sauce. As much as I think the food tasted weird, I was in seventh heaven as it was being prepared by my gf, who incidently doesn't cook for anything. Reckon my taste bud was corrupted then by my feelings of euphoria and love for her.

4) c. Tie to KFC and the Pasta is Steamed Pork liver

Remembered this as when I was young, I had been pretty sickly and had to be "strengthened" with supplements like steamed pork liver. Mind you the liver is not taken as only the reddish bloody fluid is to be consumed. Suspended with coagulated proteins from god knows where. Bad after taste but full of invigorating goodness.

2) Vietnamese wrap meat and veges

Something nice for a change, had this went I visited my ex ex gf's friend in a district in Thailand, called Kalasin and we stayed in her house. Nice town nearing the Laos across the river Mekong. We had a Vietnamese Food, locally prepared with a covering and filling made of pork and mint, fresh veges, garlic, some sauce, cillies and wrap to resemble a roll. Very good impression of this as it's prepared with TLC and had an exquisite taste.

1) Hot milo and raw eggs

This is the undisputed winner. Eventhough it tasted bad, nay, terrible, it's still holds the unprecendented number 1 in my MEME. Memory of it is enough to remind me of my mum. I the impression and memory of her will linger on similar to the memory of the tatse of this.

Well, I reckon I have done my part on this MEME, the only thing to do is to list 5 that has been MEME-ed and then 5 more bloggers that has yet to be MEME-ed. Still unclear as to what MEME means. Maybe I should Google-ed it? Wow, new words and usage of words everyday.

5 that has been MEME-ed,

1) Gap
2) winn
3) Jeremy C
4) Hedonistic Anonymous
5) Yvy

5 that has yet to be MEME-ed

1) bunnywunny
2) greenmango
3) tangerine fidelity
4) .....
5) .....

Whew! my MEME is complete, now to other things!

Investment Options

Thank God It's Friday, yup today is Friday, the eve of the day that I can at least sleep in later tomorrow. I haven't been blogging lately as I haven't been in the mood. I reckon I am not a particularly dedicated blogger, heck I don't know if I am considered a blogger. But here I am writing another post as to what is currently the highlight of my life, not that it's of any interest.

What has transpired over the weekend? Nothing much, day in day out I noticed the lack of clients and patients, which makes me reflect on what is actually wrong. Perhaps our state of economy is really that bad until the general public have to scrimp and safe even in the expense of their health. Well, not to be the one who pours cold water, I am not feeling particularly optimistic about our country's state of health, I deduce that it is at an unhealthy vital signs. So being rather free, I had nothing much to do apart from staring on my notebook screen and plan. I am planning for my next step in life.

I reckon many would think that I am funny in the sense that I am now pretty tied down to my practice, having to sit in my clinic until ungodly hours, but heck, since this place is not generating the returns that I would have expected, either due to the sluggish economy, or the lack of interpersonal skills on my part or perhaps even my lack of medical skills, I will need to find alternative modes of income. I have been contemplating various avenues and one of them being real estate investments.

I started late in life, having started with practically nothing but a paper qualification. Being pretty ambitious in my own right and I started venturing out at 32, where I had set up my first practice. That, unfortunately was a huge mistake, ending with me losing all my savings. After that I thought of giving up and apply to work overseas, but I held back my plans as I wanted to take care of my mum. She is gone now, and currently being over the age of 35, the points accorded to me will automatically be less.

I need to completely restructure my investment portfolio and I am busy these few days thinking of what and where to invest. I admit I am very impatient when it comes to this, and I know that I need to be patient, but I need to buck up if I intend to semiretire by 40. I am doing what I can to ultimately achieve this goal. My current plan is to maintain my practice and generate some amount of income, invest in stocks and hopefully make a decent return of investment. Something above 50% returns in half a year would suffice. I wanted pick up more properties to generate some returns but as the economy is pretty unstable all interests in real estate needs to be pacified, I think the property market is currently in its down cycle and buying one anytime soon is suicidal. I have to restructure my portfolio to something like 40:30:20:10, meaning 40% liquidity ( for bullets in case some bargains properties comes along), 30% tied in business, 20% in properties and 10% in shares and stocks. This would hopefully be okay in the near future, moving on to a new year, I pray that my plans would be realised. May 2006 brings forth prosperity good news.

Medical Leave and Antibiotics 2

Yup, this is a 2 episode(r). It's so bad, but, what I had previously deduced had come true, I told her that she would see me again when she refused to heed my advice, my professional advice and true enough she came to see me yesterday. See here for a better perspective of what has actually transpired on the first part. She came yesterday asking for sick leave and as usual, advice. This time its persistent cough, breathlessness and pain in the throat as well as hoarseness of voice. She claims that she hasn't recovered till today (I would be really surprised if it did).

Frankly I was mildly bemused and happy to be proven right, but in retrospect I reckon if she would had listened to me initially, she would jolly well be doing her yogic postures by now. I did the neccesary checkup and concluded that she is currently having bronchitis with mild inflammation and swelling of her voicebox (Larynx).

What should I do? I think the problem is not no longer straight forward and easily rectified. She needs all sorts of medication if she want to really recover. I advised her accordingly, again, but suffice to say that she is stubborn as a bull. Ah well, I reckon I don't want to argue and I gave her an abridged version of what I think and feel. I gave her my thoughts about the situation and told her that she needs medication and not merely rest with appropriate amount of fluids. I told her at this present condition, no amount of antibiotics can help her, and what I can do is to give her some cough mixture and that's about it. I told her to seek alternative viewpoints especially from a chest physician if need be. I am washing my hands clean with this one.

No doubt I am dumbfounded that people especially lay people have a preconceived misconception regarding taking medications. It's amazing that antibiotics are widely used in Malaysia but not so in western countries like Australia, but it would seem that cases of resistance Downunder is very much higher than here. Why is that so? I know that they aren't using antibiotics until the very last stage and there is no question of overprescribing and abuse, but is it neccesarily having less resistance? I doubt it. Perhaps infections especially bacterial has been left to fester longer and with this it is given time to develop resistance as well? All this are mere speculation on my part. But there are numerous "superbugs" in Australia that it's difficult to eradicate and treat. I am not condoning giving antibiotics and I feel that there is a need to regulate prescription of it, but not heeding any professional advice due to a misconception is taking it a bit far. I reckon with and only with proper education would people learn.

I am filthy rich

I am filthy rich, which I reckon would be true if I am to believe the emails that has been sent to my mailbox, I should be the luckiest person alive, well almost if what they sent to me is true, but funny thing is that I have to be 3 times luckier as I received 3 emails notifying me of me winning lottery from Spain, Canada as well as UK! Hey even Bill Gates cannot compared to me interms of winning 3 lotteries in a row! hahahahaha.

Below are the excerps of my so called "winnings"! I reckon if I were to cut and paste the whole emails, it would be really really long, and to paste only the headings and the contacts would suffice no? Boy am I lucky or what?

The first "notification" of my winning is from the UK;

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT UK National Lottery PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT. BACTH NO: ATP/44863214257/3445328/563 REF. NO. ATP/29031392620/426376R/6542 Date: December/9th/2005Tel: +447031927469
Dear Winner
RE: UK NATIONAL LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION

blah blah blah blah,................

The second "notification" is from Canada;

From: Mrs. Anna DavidNo: 125 St Michael's StreetPlot 2A Harrison DriveOntario Canada.(www.canada.com/lotteries)
Check for LOTTO 6/49 Email:
NCA 85914Ref: EAAL/851OYHI/04Batch No: Lotto 6/49Draw Coupon: Match 6+B
WINNING NOTIFICATIONTHIS LOTTERY IS SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE 2010 WORLD CUP TO BE HOSTED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

blah blah blah blah,..................

The third "notification" is from Spain;

ACCULOTTO PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD SPAIN
REFF:OZS/7367/67/92/97BATCH: 12/951/IPD/ESwww.acculotto.com
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the of the Acculotto Nacional programs held on the 7 of December 2005.

Your e-mailaddress attached to ticket number 241918906-076 with game Number 54568 drew lucky numbers 16,11,52,33,44,42 which consequently won.You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 150,000.00 Euro.(One Hundred and Fifty Thousand)CONGRATULATIONS!!

Wow! if all this are my winnings, I can actually retire and go for a long extended holidays liao! But sad to say I never for once believe that I could be so lucky, I would be happy if I can have a stable and successful career, and could find someone to share my boring life with me. That I'd reckon would make me the luckiest person alive. Still it would be great to fantasize a bit, hmm, if I have won the money, wonder what would I do? hmmmmmmmmmm........

What? Another scam?

I've received this email in my mailbox today and out of curiosity I open it. What amazes me is that there are so many scams going around? Below is the actual email that I receive:-

Hello my dear,Compliment of the day, I’m Mrs.Joy Daku fromsierra-Leone. I picked interest on you after glancingthrough your short profile, I deemed it necessary todisclose this important issue I believe one thing inme that God will always make a way for the needy andhelpless one. I would like you to do me this favour,save my soul before I die. My husband Mr.Williams Daku(late) who was killed bythe rebels in 2003, during the political uprising herein Cote d'Ivoire, deposited some money in a bankhere(US$10.5Million) in a suspense fixed account. Mylate husband was an Agro- Merchant, he did export tomany countries before his untimely death.Since I lost my husband, I’ve contacted the bank forthe release of the money, the Bank Manger preciselytold that my late husband made the deposit in asuspense fixed account with a clause attached to itfor onward transfer into a foreign account, that I’llnot have access to the money now until it’stransferred first. On this note, I contacted you to please come in as mylate husband’s foreign business partner to enable thebank transfer the money in yourforeign account The bank has given me requirements I should forward tothem:1. Your full name, contact postal address2. Your phone and fax numbers.This is a matter of trust, now I confide in you sinceI don’t know anybody abroad, therefore, please promiseme that you’ll not sit on this money when it gets intoyour account, also, please as I contacted you for thispurpose, let’s restrict the information fromthird-party to avoid exposing ourselves to wickedpeople.If you agree on this, I’ll give you 15% of the totalshare when transferred, then 5% will be given to youif you made any expense on the cause of the transfer.Waiting to hearing from you, please once I hear fromyou I'll send you my pictures, also the depositcertificate the bank gave to my late husband.you cancall me on ;0022505115928.Thanks,Mrs. Joy daku

I am perplexed that some people have the audacity to send unsolicited emails to every random people that they can lay their hands on! I mean I am curious as to how they got my email address, perhaps they bought it from one of the companies that have a database? But for whatever reason, I think their game plan is basically to just cast their bait and just hope that gullible and greedy person would take the offer of this "indecent proposal"!

It's really amazing to hear that some people actually falls for scams like this, just like a newspaper report a few months ago regarding a University Professor that has actually fall for scams in the same vein. There was also a report about a lawyer that was also taken for a ride by scams like this. I reckon educated people are not neccesarily "smart" when it comes to suppressing their primal urge of "greediness". This is what that's enticing to them! I reckon I am lucky in the sense that I have more sense than this and I will never fall for it. I wonder how many times around that this email has made it's rounds in other people's email?

Healthcare?

I had just finished watching John Q for an unknown number of times. I must admit that I am a sucker for drama and I enjoyed the moving performances by Denzel Washington and it is nothing short of electric. He is by far one of the best actors around and I felt connected to his portrayal of a desperate father, who is out of option to save his dying son. His is poignant and sad at the same time. The length a father would go through and his sacrifices in order for his son to obtain a new heart is tragic and sad. I wonder if I were to be in John Q's shoes what would I have done? What would you have done if thrusts into the same scenario?

It's not unreasonable to assume that it would happen eventually in our country. Healthcare has evolved to become a multi billion industry and our system is slowly moving from goverment sponsored healthcare to an HMO or Managed Care Organisations (MCO). If I remembered correctly there was an issue that came out a couple of years ago regarding MCO, where there will be a progressive decrease in goverment subsidies for healthcare and everything will be managed by a National Health Insurance scheme. As in any system, there are goods and bad points, but there are lots of loopholes which is open for abuse. Eventually this leads to more unneccesary investigations and examinations which invariably leads to higher costs. It would then be borne by the consumers themselves by having to pay higher insurance premiums. This is exactly what is happening in Malaysia, private hospitals charge a bomb to be admitted in and when a patient mention that they are covered by insurance, the hospital are even more gleeful. They charge exhorbitant fees so rampantly that it has become a norm. If you haven't a insurance policy, it's best to go to the goverment hospital. Sad to say, it will get even worse from now onwards.

What petrifies me is that what can be done to change the direction of this? I assume the goverment is bleeding just to keep healthcare free for all, but in reality what is actually being done? When I was managing a district hospital, it used to be around 100k to manage the support services of the whole hospital for a whole year. Imaging my chagrin when what used to be the costs to maintain the hospital in a year, ie upkeep of the hospital, washing of linen, provisions for foods and meals, repairs and other nitty gritty things which was done in house is now being privatised at more than 150k per month! That is like a more than 10 times to manage a district hospital a year! Support services are just an additional mode of cronyism and corruption. But what can be done? The support services is own by people with " High level connections". How sad, we, as it is, is without a doubt being shortchanged.

I reckon John Q's scenario is but a reality in time. I wonder if and when I am in John Q's shoes, what would I have done? I am unsure if I am brave enough to look the barrel of the gun in between my eyes, but I'd reckon I would do the same as he did. What else could I have done if I cannot afford the health care and the goverment is turning a blind eye?

26 days more

Well, it's 5th of December and as the year steams ahead at full speed to 2006, I am hitching a ride towards a new year which hopefully would be better. It's 8.21pm and as time moves rapidly I noticed that it's the only entity I know that actually have proper direction. I know I don't and I am basically stringing along hoping for the best in the coming new year. So far life's been pretty routine which I think would suit me fine, after having such a tumultuous 2005, I pray that the remaining time accorded to it would be quiet and not have too much "excitement". I think the exhilaration that I had thus far would lasts me for at least a few more years, so to speak, if not a life time. I looking forward to a nice, relaxing and stress free time in 2006.

So what had I planned for the outnumbered 2005? I had loads planned out, and amongsts them is to take a well deserved holiday of 10 days to visit China. I am still wondering if I should go, having to brave the extreme enviroment of sheer freezing temperatures as well as congestion of epic proportions due to the concurrent Chinese holidays. I reckon any place would be better to be rather than being couped up in my clinic, right? I think I am doing my duty as a Chinese to at least to make a pilgrimage to Beijing and climb the Great Wall of China, and make a round in The forbidden City. Henceforth the plan is to make a trip up north (braving sub zero temperature) to go to Dalian as well as Shenyang. Perhaps try skiing a bit? I reckon tagging along with a friend should be fun, who knows, maybe I might even rest and recharge my worn out "soul" and actually enjoy this break!

Backhome, another interesting event that I have been organising is in the pipeline. We have actually organised a gathering yet again for the Real Estate forum and hopefully this would be a much better and fun filled as compared to the lacklustre 2nd offering. This time more people have pledged to turn up but as in any thing, I would take it with a pinch of salt. Still, it's something that I can look forward to, and to take to monotonicity ( is this a word) and mundane daily offerings out of my live eh? It would be fun to actually meet up and exchange some ideas and opinions in person rather than over a veil of anonymity over the open forum. I have met most of them, but it's more good than harm to meet more I'd say!

It's 26 days and counting and beyond the horizon and in the bright lights of the looming new year, I am feeling recharged and optimistic already, It's begining to smell a lot like it's going to be a great year! I am eagerly anticipating what is bringing me in 2006! One thing more to say, BRING IT ON!

Medical leave and antibiotics

My first post on December, I am into the initial phase of age 36 and this it fair share of controversy. I reckon I'm a magnet for controversies! Nah, just joking, but I had some thoughts about something that happen to me just a couple of days ago.

It started off naturally enough, a friend of mine wanting to see me for some medical illness. She came and I subsequently examined her on a professional level, listening intently as to what is the actual problem and also asking and probing about her state of health, her condition as well as her diet for the rest of the week. I did my part to elicit an appropriate history and exacted my examination. I came to a conclusion that my friend is suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection and in this case bacterial in origin. I advised appropriate rest, fluid intake as well as certain medications and in this case since she had bacterial infection I suggested antibiotics and guess what? She vehemently and single mindedly refused all forms of medications. I was as perplexed as well as intrigued!

It started to hit on to me what is the exact purpose of her seeking "treatment" from me? I mean, "hello, I am a professional and have been trained in the science of medicine". Then it hit! She ONLY wanted Medical Certificates/Leaves (MCs)! If u think that I am not good enough, they why see me? It's akin to asking someone for advice but not listening to it. I mean what the heck, is my sole purpose in practising medicine merely to dispense Medical Leaves? I was royally pissed.

U know what she said? In really "See lai" fashion, "No lah, I don't want antibiotics lah, after taking it, my body cannot fight the infection by its' own lah, It'll be bad for my body lah".
I asked her who told her that antibiotics is harmful to our body? And she responded that ........ everyone!! Can u beat it? Yeah, everyone who ISN'T trained before. Jeez, I give up trying to convince people like this, people who thinks they know more than me, so be it. I am not in the mood to try to change their perception. Hello.........., every Tom, Dick and Harry is also a doctor meh?

She asked me if juicing and taking loads of fruits can cure her illness, what am I to say? I mean what I adviced, u don't want to listen and NOW u want me to tell u WHAT u want to listen? I mean, go get a life and sod off eh! Royally pissed is an understatement. I gave her the Medical Leave and some medications that she wanted, which is vitamins. She doesn't even want to take Panadol and other symtomatic medications for cough and runny nose. I reckon she must know MORE about medicine than ME.

After 2 days she calls me to tell me that she needs more MCs, my answer to her is, SOD off! U are a doctor mah, go treat yourself! And yeah in case you are reading this, I am no quack, and I have my integrity as well. My medical certificate is NOT to be friggin abused, how could I recommend you leave when you aren't even following my recommendation to take the appropriate medications? Perhaps you are much better off sitting in my place and dispensing your total health advice eh? How about doing some Yogic posture to rid urself of the infection? That would be the news of the century, I'd reckon.

_________________________________________________________

It's people like this irks me the most. I mean it's like the chinese saying "Know a little, acts as representative", come on, I'd never advise you how to do your set of accounts? I would never advise a Pilot how to handle the plane would I? Or how about the engineer and architect on how to build the high rise? I'd have half a mind NOT to stay there upon completion. It would in my honest opinion, collapse. Drawing parellel to this I think I am deeply pissed and offended when a lay person teaches me how to prescribe medicine. I have no qualms about giving them a piece of my mind.