doc's dog day: December 2007

Goodbye and Hello

364 days have passed, some with aplomb and many with emotional roller coaster. As 2007 draws to it's close and when the clock strikes 12 tonight, a new and hopefully a better year replaces it. This is not to say that 2007 is entirely bad, but far from it.

It was the year of learning, of experiencing and trials that makes a person stronger and more experienced. It also is a year of humility as well as making this canine more matured as he thought he was. All in all a productive and interesting year.

As much as I appreciate all those topsy turvy emotional journeys, I hope and pray that the coming 2008 will be less turbulent, and more peaceful. Excitement is fine, but too much of it is a bit overwhelming for this old dog.

When the clock strikes 12 tonight, I would be embracing the new year with open arms, a strong believe in good things to come, arm with a prayer that solemnly pray for all humanities' wellbeing and hopefully can say the same when 2008 runs out and 2009 beckons.

Happy New Year and many happy returns of the day, may 2008 brings forth good things and happiness and health in whatever you do. Peace out.

So long friend...

I have been in the medical line since I started with medical school way back in 1991. It was then when i bought my own stethoscope, one that i had bought with my own money from a quaint little medical outlet in one of the shops opposite Subang Jaya Medical Centre. I could still remember clearly taking the bus, a Sri Jaya bus there and to buy it. If memory serves me right, I paid 139 bucks for my Littmann Classic II stethoscope.

Armed with my own personal stethoscope, I embarked into the new journey to seek knowledge in a foreign land, in India to learn the finer points of being a good medical practitioner. My stethoscope has been with me through thick and thin, helping me pass my clinical exams until I graduated first class in my Medical degree. I had detected all sorts of funny noise emanated from our body, from the lung sounds, to those obscure clicking sound of the heart valves, the snapping when a diseased mitral valves closes, the whooshing sound of a murmur to the intestinal movements, the gurgling and twisting of the bowels. It had also functioned as a "fashion" statement, being able to proudly hang it across my shoulder or just plain hanging from my neck. I cannot imagine it has already served me for 16 long years, my old Littmann.

On the afternoon of 26th december, my trusty old stethoscope was no more. The metal within the rubber body broke and gave way. I reckon I will need to get a new one, but the memory of my old companion lingers on and will always be in my heart and mind. Good bye friend and it was my and honor and my pleasure to brace all those tests and incidences with you.

Christmas Day and heartbreak

December the 25th, the day Jesus was born, although not entirely true, but it's taken as the day and celebrated throughout the world. Well maybe with the exception of Orthodox Christianity. How did I celebrate this magical and blessed day? I am ashamed to say that I spent it alone, at home, with nothing to do, no where to go.

Ah well, I reckon life's pretty much the same, nothing has changed, I took the opportunity to take the day off, to unwind and relax, but relax i did, within the confines of my room, napping at times, and staring at the Idiot Box. Micheal and Sam Hui's old classic came on the air, and I watched it to it's entirety. It was nostalgic and fun, reminding of my youth when I vaguely remembered humming Sam's catchy tune. I cannot imagine it has been more than 2 decades, how time really flies.

Today is Boxing day, and here I am sitting in my clinic and working. At times I am jealous of those that work 5 days week, and still have the cheek to complain about how bad their work hours are. But hey, it's always greener over the other side and I reckon. I am also jealous of the people that has taken the time off from work until the end of the year, traveling and enjoying their holidays elsewhere.

I also remember the same day 3 years back when a giant tsunami triggered by some powerful earthquakes began to make it's ways throughout the Asian Shores, the devastating lost of lives as well as infrastructures are very humbling, my heartfelt condolences to those who has lost loved ones as well as friends. It seem that it's just like yesterday when the catastrophe happened.

I hope when the New Year starts in a few more days, whatever that was bad in 2007 will be closed and a brighter new chapter will open full of positivity and optimism.