The Fragility of Life

Life is so fragile...

I remembered setting a CVP line for an old man who was just admitted for cardiac failure. He was still talking to the children, like nothing ever happen. The next moment, I was doing resuscitation on him, while his life gently fade away and left behind a lifeless and cold body.

It has been my life, or rather my job to save life. Yet sometimes, sometimes life and death is not in my hand. I can do as much as to help. The fragility of life is something I must learn, and adapt well.

(This week I had seen at least 10 deaths)

A New Beginning

A new dawn, tomorrow, it will be. A brand new start. A new page, a new chapter, a new leaf... So many words, yet it means only a thing, I am happy being posted back to Kuantan Hospital to serve my housemanship.

This few weeks I had been undergoing kursus induksi and kem biro tata negara. Tired. Yet happy to catch up with the friends. It was the last chance to gather them together for about 3 weeks to attend a course. Kind of missed them now.

Happy, yet anxious for whatever that may come tomorrow. I had never ventured this far before. Working life was a new thing to me. Whatever the outcome maybe, come what may. I will, I shall and I believe I can face it and deal with it.

All I need now is some sleep. Then some strength, then some luck, then...

Five Days, Five States, One Thousand Kilometers and Massive Dose of Fun: Part 3 - There and Back Again

Previous post:

After the 2 days 1 night stay in Langkawi, the group went back to Penang island by boat and depart to Ipoh on the next day. Ipoh mari!

Day 4:

Seng Fai insisted to drive. So he take the wheels from Penang up to Ipoh. It was noon then when we reached. Hot as ever. Jam as ever. Lunch settled in a famous kopitiam shop in oldtown Ipoh. I guess that's the origin of the famous Oldtown Kopitiam. The fullness of dim sum in the morning carried over till noon. So we had a kaya toast, peanut butter toast and some kuih. The coffee was particularly nice for me, but gave others tachycardia because of the high level of caffeine.

The oldtown 'oldtown Kopitiam' in Ipoh

The next goal in Ipoh was to look for the famous caves. There are a few to start with, but the famous ones are Kek Lok Cave, Sam Po Cave, and the one with Guan Yin Cave. The first cave we visited was the Kek Lok Cave. It was a huge cave with Buddha statues inside and the exit of the cave overlook a nice lotus pond. The atmosphere outside and inside the cave is totally different. Inside the cave, you feel the darkness and the dampness and the water dribbling down from the ceiling. It was eerie inside. Outside, it seems like a whole new world, you can leave behind those worries and stresses. Time had already frozen in this wonderful place. The lotus was blooming. Soft breeze brushes your face. We sat for a long time in this shangri-la.

Kek Lok Cave - from the inside

The lotus pond


Julian is in ecstasy

The next cave we ventured into was the Sam Poh Caves. Similarly, there is a buddhist temple build into the cave and the exit also goes out into another isolated world. Somehow, they had built a monastery in this place, which looks grand besides the mountain. We had little time spent here as they were closing the cave for religious ceremony.

The monastery in Sam Poh Cave

We did not stay overnight in Ipoh as it was a labour day then. Hotel rate would be at its peak. So we decided to drive back to KL on the same day. Ming Huei already booked us for dinner at her father's shop in Sunway. After diner, we went to stay overnight in Seng Fai's house.

Day 5:

On the last day of the trip, We planned to go to Sungai Gabai waterfall. This time, Peggy and Ka Man joined us. So a party of 7 person went to this waterfall. We went the wrong way and the long way by going to Semenyih first. However, I never regretted taking that road because we enjoyed a scenery beyond words. There was a lake, or a water reservoir and the road snaked around the lake. The view in the morning was most refreshing. Along the way, we met an aborigine settlement. It was a long drive down to this waterfall. As a conclusion, this is a way more beautiful waterfall compared to Telaga Tujuh in Langkawi. We had to climb a stair for about 10 minutes to reach the top. There were natural water slide. We waded in the shallow pool and had picnic there. It was the last stop of our trip. I had so much fun. Hope in future we have opportunity to gather again for another adventure.

Waterfall in Sungai Gabai

One of the stopping place for photos along the 10 minutes climb

Five Days, Five States, One Thousand Kilometres, and Massive Dose of Fun: Part 2 - Langkawi

Tanjung Rhu, a must visit place in Langkawi

I could believe this is somewhere oversea if not for the hot temperature

I could live here, you know

After being sentenced to death for the adultery that she didn't commit, Mahsuri lay a curse before her last breath. "I will be the witness, for 7 generations, Langkawi will be the land of drought and waste (padang jarak padang terkukur)." Legend says her blood spurted out was white in colour. The rice planted there after was 'burned'. Langkawi was backward as people deserted this land.

Day 2:

There goes the legend of the beautiful lady and her tragic death. We reached the island about noon time. It was hot like an oven. Since we can't transport our car over here, the next natural things to do is to rent a car. 6 people, 5 seater, what to do? 2 cars or 1 car? After a lengthy discussion, we opted for 1 car, as petrol and going places was the main concern. We do not have a guide either. We rented a 7 seater MPV Innova for a price of RM 130. That was further discounted to RM 110 for it is non peak day. Haha. Whereas if we get 2 cars, it will cost RM 50 each. With a car, we were able to move around. We rented a motel in town, which was RM 100 for deluxe room with air-conditioning and also RM 10 discount.

Lunch was at a small place in the Kuah town as someone insisted to have Chinese food. Not very nice food, though. Then we visited the famous Mahsuri tomb. Along the way, we stop by a nice watching place. The label of the place is pathetically small but the scenery is first class. The sky was not doing any good. Soon, it rains cats and dogs. The scheduled 1 hour became 2. Glad, after the downpour, the sky turn sunny again. The next stop, 7 wells waterfall. Actually, the waterfall was not as good as it sounds. It was like watching a baby pee on top of the falls. The water stream is very small. Downhill, we bought tickets to go up the famous cable car in Langkawi. Weather was clear then but the cable car operator refused us to go up the cable car! After one hour, it was still the same. There was no point arguing with them. So there is an excuse for us to go to Langkawi again next time.

I believe I can fly... On the watching place

Now you see what I mean. You call this waterfall? I called this 'pee' fall

Geopark, where the cable car is

Beautiful girls on rocks, but all taken

This make a good roast for dinner

Oh my rabbit stew, nice and sweet.

After the cable car thingy, we went across the island to the black sand beach. Nothing special. It is a long stretch of beach with a very little playable place and dirty sands. But Tanjung Rhu is way different. You need to drivetill the end of the road, and you will come across a nice beach. Perfect place for sunset watching and seaside walking. The beach is serene and picturesque. Alas, too much cloud. So we packed up early for dinner.

This could be a winning shot if only the clouds were gone. Anyway, we were aiming for sunset

Beach girlsThe beauty of the beach marred by these guys

Night time is good time to let loose. Someone again suggested we make cheap tequila pop since alcohol is cheap on this island. You can get a Carlsberg with 20 cents extra compare to a 100 Plus. We guys got very drunk that night. I never had liquor in my life and that night i lost my alcohol 'virginity' to it. Funny things is that none of us said we were drunk when we can't even walk straight to toilet. That is how an alcoholic always do, right?

Day 3:

The next day, we went to the underwater world, but decided not to go in for the entrance fees was too high. We went to the duty free shop next door, instead. The last stop in Langkawi was Dataran Lang, where a huge eagle overlooking the sea port. Nothing new to me as this is the same eagle 10 years ago.

We boarded the 2 pm boat back to Penang and stayed a night over there. At night, we had dinner in a hawker centre near Sunway Carnival and coffee afterwards. You guess what's on the menu. Its wanton mee! After the goodbyes, we were prepared to go for our next stop, Ipoh.

Day 4:

Breakfast was with Shui Wei's parent as they insisted. We had overloaded ourselves with Dim Sum, which was very nice indeed. After 2 days of getting in touch with the Penangites, I found out that they develop a very sensitive sense of taste. They can tell you this fried kuey teow lack of the wok Qi eventhough we can't spot any difference.

Its time to zoom-zoom again, this time to Ipoh.

To be continued: Part 3 - Ipoh and back to KL again

Five Days, Five States, One Thousand Kilometres, and Massive Dose of Fun: Part 1 - KL, Penang

Old Clock Tower near the jetty, Penang

Holiday is always the time to go around the places you wanted to visit. I had chance to travel up north to Penang and Langkawi during this summer holiday with couple of my friends. Initially, there were 7 people, but the company shrink into 5 people due to some unavoidable reasons. Anyway, we set out on a fine morning to our destination - Langkawi.

Day 1:

To meet up with the company, I had drove from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur the day before. Before daybreak, I drove to Seng Fai's House in Pandan Indah. A total of 4 person including me, Seng Fai, Ming Huei and Kok Chong started our journey from here. It was Monday Morning and the famous "KL Jam" just started. We spent half an hour from his house to get to Jalan Loke Yew. There, we had our breakfast in 亨记 Restaurant. The shop is famous for its wanton mee (云吞面). That morning, I had some bread before departure, so I ordered a small sized mee just to taste. The waiter looked at me and ask me again: "You want double mee or big mee?" "Just a small one will do." I said. Later, when the food was served, I ended up with biggest plate! What to do? I spread out mine to Kok Chong and Seng Fai, who already ordered a double mee. Kok Chong gave me a killer look that morning.

Our host and guide, Shui Wei with her F1 driving skills in Penang

We reached Penang about 1 pm. Luckily, our accomodation was arranged by Shui Wei. She spared out 2 rooms for us in her house in Bukit Mertajam. It was lunch time then, and the traffic congestion was at its peak. So we decided to call up Prai friends to meet up and have fun together. Lunch was at Chun Siong's father shop, which is also famous for the wanton mee. So we had the second helpings of wanton mee for the day and that was not the last. After gathering up Ling Shie and Chun Siong, we decided to cross over to Penang Island.

The first stop, Kek Lok Si (极乐寺). It is a well known Buddhist temple with a huge figurine of Guan Yin that stood up for few storeys high. Personally, I had been there about 10 years ago. Renovation was under progres to build a huge shade. There is a saying that nowadays all Penangite worships Guan Yin (since Guan Eng been installed and the CM of Penang). Other attraction of this place is a tortoise pond and the temples around.

The most priced figurine of Guan Yin - under renovation

Me and Kok Chong posing under the shadow of the Pagoda, also under renovation

After that, we went down to Farlim to look for Apple (not the type that grows on a tree, but a person). and we had a nice bowl of Laksa with 清補涼. The laksa served in Penang is garnished with slices of fish, lots of big onion, mint leaves and pineapples. Spicy and mouth-watering. Some will add the prawn paste just to sweetened the soup but I preferred not to. Meanwhile waiting for the Penang bridge jam to pass over, we went to Batu Feringgi. The sky was cloudy then and thunderstorm was building up. Without warning, the rain falls and we ran for shelter in Gurney Plaza. The rain won't stop until about 8 pm. Then we left the shopping complex to cross over to Butterworth.

We had our dinner in Da Wei which is a hawker centre with some of the very nice local delicacies you can find in Penang. We ordered Lo Bak, fried egg with oyster, fried kuey teow, curry mee, and popiah. The price were reasonable. Funny thing is that most of the company ordered iced Ambla with sour plum, a highly recommended drink in Penang.

It was a long first day, and we need a rest for a long day ahead, as we are crossing Penang to Langkawi.
Day 2:

At the break of dawn, drove from Bukit Mertajam to Butterworth and took my ride for her first time to cross the straits of Penang by using ferry. Then we took the boat transfer from Penang to Langkawi. Most of the boat company charges the same rate at RM 55 per single ride and you can get a little bit of discount (RM 5 only) if you purchase the return ticket immediately. Tips: Do specify your return time properly for there is a chance that you might not be able to catch a boat ride back to Penang if the boat is full. The boat ticket only valid for 24 hours.

To be continued in Part 2: Langkawi

This is Where I Called Home

Let me introduce myself to you guys. My name is Muthu. I am eight. Eldest of the five siblings. All are boys, the youngest is 1 year old. I never attended to any formal school until now. My parents never send me to one. I am staying in a hut as you can see with a blown off roof after the last thunderstorm and a door that barely close. There were no windows.

I introduce my mom first as she is the person that I see the most everyday. My father seldom at home. He loves alcohol more than our family. My mother is currently expecting another baby. Heard that it is a girl this time. I seldom see my dad. He is never at home. I don't know what he is. Only thing I know when he is back is mother will get hit and we all siblings we got beaten up for no reason at all. Since he has this new found girlfriend, he came home less and less. I knew my mother cried a lot for him.

Since I am not attending any school, I had plenty of time. I like playing around with friends. Though they always have some shiny new toys I could only hoped for. So I found a way to make money. I asked from people. Sometimes, on 'luckier' day, I could earn myself a can of coke. 'Bad' days can be really terrible. Anyway, I don't enjoy reading. I can't read anyway. Although I hate it, I have to take care of my younger siblings for my mother sake.

Life is tough. I never want all this responsibility of grown man. I wanted to play, I wanted to go to school like the other boys, to see the world. Above all, I wanted a home that is warm, a father that provides, mother that heal all the wounds, and everyone around table to enjoy a nice dinner. Not this and definitely not what I had now! I am so longed for a change in my life and fate.

To see this broken family really breaks my heart. They were a defunct family living off the main road from Kuantan to Gambang. They were the poorest of the poor among the area. The house they lived is no living condition. Torn down roof, no rooms, poor sanitation, with food and faeces lying around. Anyway, it is a shelter provided by some kind people. They were like a roadkill from the economic highway.

Father does not has a permanent job and mother is a housewife. Most of the income were spent on the drinking behaviour. Moreover, the father is abusive at times and his beating never spared the younger child as well. Education for the young one never seems important. The health condition were terrible. Almost all of them having head lice manifestation with the second youngest child having scabies infection as well. I have no doubt that the other siblings will have the same infection. All of them seems malnourished and looks small for their age. The mother, though pregnant, never attended the routine maternity clinic check-up for the young one inside.

People around had been trying to help them, with monetary support from governmental agency, non-governmental organisation and people with a heart of a Buddha. People donated food and clothing to fulfil only the basic necessities but they were far from enough. They need better homes, and most important, education to promise a brighter future for the younger generations. With the help of people who cares, this family will be relocated to the foster home to ensure proper living condition and schooling for the child. There is still hope if everyone only lend their helping hand.

The Money-Making Pet

This is not a zoo. This, in fact is my house. And this is no ordinary monkey. His name is 'Beruk'. He is owned by Pak Mat Beruk (in local tongue we pronounce as 'Pok Mat Berok'). His job? He plucks coconut for Pak Mat. How they pluck the coconut is fun to see. First, he will climb up the coconut tree. Then he will liaise with Pak Mat on which coconut to pluck (you don't want a young green coconut to be plucked as the flesh is still relatively thin and no value). Pak Mat will shoosh here, praise there and they will get job done. After that, he will be rewarded with food.

This is a thriving local industry in my home town. Coconut fetch a very good price in the market and it is in all time demand. The coconut-plucking monkey enjoy his job, and I am going too, in the month to come when I start my job.

Combo of Pak Mat and his beruk equals to nicely skinned coconuts