Princeton Phone Interview

Apologies again for such a long break from blogging. =)

Last night, at 9pm, on my landline at home, I got a call from a Princeton alumni all the way from USA. It had become one of my most memorable phone calls in life. I shall remember speaking to a fellow Malaysian who graduated from the same university, and shared about her fun days there.

Generally, the interview was informal. So, the ah and um and cool are allowed. Initially, I asked her (yes, a her) to slow down because I can’t catch the speed of her American English.

We spoke a lot about the learning philosophy in Princeton, the life as an engineering student in Princeton, and what one should expect in Princeton.

In fact, I managed to share about my debating passion with her. Good to know that in Princeton, everyone is pretty much like me! Wee-hee…

So, now I could only wait and see whether I fit into their community. Come 1 April. Stay tune.

Minor Accident

As I type this as calmly and rationally possible, I feel shortchanged for having to pay for someone’s ugly mistake.

As I was driving on the highway back from SS3, one lousy Mercedes hit my car’s right rear, stripping partially the rear bumper. The driver didn’t even stop to look, just zoomed away. I am real pissed!

God, please grant me the strength and love to forgive that brainless cow!

P/S: The author thinks it is foolish to pay for someone’s mistake for no apparent reason. Expected car repair cost: RM500 onwards

A New Journey into Medicine

I guess medicine found me. Instead of me trying to look around whether I want to do medicine or not as a career, medicine found me by FORCE!

Today, I went to University Hospital to do further check up on my health status. Basically, at current diagnosis, I am diagnosed as young hypertension. They are still going through some tests and scans to figure out what is the cause. Yes, to those of you who wonder why the long duration to do the tests, I can frankly say that the queue is super long.

My ultrasound test is three weeks from today. My echocardiogram (heart scan) is a month away from today. So, go figure….

The doctor increased my dosage of Perindopril since the my body is responding well to the drug with minimal side effects. Personally, it felt nothing at all. =)

So there you go, medicine found me in a funny way. Whether I like it or not, I will be hanging around a lot with medicine FOR A VERY LONG LONG TIME.

P/S: The author believes that being diagnosed with hypertension at 20 is not the end of the world. He believes that that gave him more reason to appreciate life and the lives around him, and never to take anything for granted. He is just disappointed that he took many things for granted for the last 19 years.

The Naked Blogger’s Chicken Rendang Recipe

Ingredients

i) Set A (to be blended together)

8 pieces of small onion

1 piece of ginger

8 cloves of garlic

4 pieces of serai

5 pieces of dried chillies

chicken (how can you miss this?)

i) Set B

Water

Yellow powder (known as serbuk kunyit in Malay)

Instructions

1) Blend Set A to make a paste.

2) Heat up the wok and put in the paste.

3) Put the chicken in.

4) Add some salt.

5) Add the yellow powder.

6) Add a small amount of water

7) Lastly, add coconut milk.

Serve it hot.

Disclaimer: This recipe was given by someone to my mum. I have not tried the recipe out. That’s why the recipe is so stripped, without details such as time to simmer, amount of coconut milk etc. I am planning to try it out soon.

*The post’s title is a pun of ‘The Naked Chef’. Any sexual connotation within or without the post is deeply regretted.

From Your Valentine

Legend of Valentine 1:
Once upon a time, in a land far far away called Rome, there was this king who wanted to create the greatest army.
So, he came out with a law that forbade all soldiers from marrying. This was to ensure full commitment of soldiers to their duties to protect Rome.
Then, there was this dude (his name was Valentine) who secretly married a woman.
As it went, the king found out and put him into jail. In jail, he sent a gift to his sweetheart with a message ‘From Your Valentine’. That phrase is used up till now. The end.

Legend of Valentine 2:

There was this dude (his name was Valentine – predictable) who was jailed in Rome. He might probably be the same dude in Valentine 1 but anyhow, fell in love with the jailer’s daughter.

So he gave her a gift and wrote her a message ‘From Your Valentine’ – predictable.

Legend of Valentine 3:

There was this dude; his name was Winson – unpredictable. He blogged about Valentine’s Day and used ‘From Your Valentine’ as his blog title – unpredictable. That’s why it is still used up till today.

P/S: This Feb 14 is also our Singles Club 20th Anniversary. Open to singles only. Any couple  found during club’s meeting will be surrendered to the police and prosecuted to the maximum extent permitted by the law.

Invisible Strings

Sometimes, it is not quite a good thing to think over too many things at one time. It just drains you, and right now, I am quite drained.

(To the friend with the black cheong-sam) I find it difficult to entirely cast my burden unto the Lord, not because I don’t trust Him, but I love my family too much. I can’t stop thinking how to give my best to the people around me – loving them as myself.

Today, I spoke with my ex-teacher and she gave me a new perspective into the inner conflict that I am going through. I thank her for seeing it from my point of view. It feels encouraging to know that there is actually someone who understands completely what I am thinking about, what I am fearing of.

To those who are completely lost about the subject, I am still contemplating whether or not I should pursue my studies overseas or locally.

Well, let me warn you, it is not as straight-forward as it seems. No, this is not about whether University of Manchester is better than local ATC Kemayan College, nor about Manchester has greater lecturers than IMU.

It is about whether my family can withstand the pressure of me not being here, after dealing with a major pressure in the family- the absence of dad. Whether they can handle the pressure of me pursuing my dreams, unfortunately no matter how filial I try to be while doing that, at the expense of their well-being.

It is about whether my brother can withstand the pressure of not having a fatherly figure to impart into his life as he goes through the most important years of his life.

Now, he’s 10.When I am back, he’ll be 14. I would had missed out four years of instilling Godly values in him and guiding him through one of the most treacherous times of his life. I would had missed seeing him growing up from primary to secondary school life, with all the potential quality time we could spend together with my physical presence.

It is about whether my mum can cope with the monumental financial strain upon the family. It is about whether she can accept the fact that now she is the sole breadwinner, with me, while completing my studies, sitting helplessly.

It is about whether I, or mum and brother, should carry the heavier burden of protecting the family. It is about whether a single person can bear it alone to impact two lives, or two people bear it to fulfill the dream of a single person.

I would regret a decision that would tear my family apart because we only have one another now. But, I would also regret a decision that would tear my dreams apart because I have nothing to day-dream about but them. Ultimately, I want a decision that would keep my family intact, and help me to achieve my dreams.

Sometimes, I wished I am just a selfish crook who is all out to fulfill his dreams and his ideals without thinking about anyone but himself. Things would be easier. It would be about me, my dreams, my goals, and my ideals.

But I can’t. I am not a crook.

I have strings holding me back. And they are invisible to most people.

P/S: It’s no longer about whether to take medicine, law, or engineering. It’s about whether I love my family or my dreams more. Period.

Perak Peril is no Thrill

I write this post with full disappointment after knowing about the collapse of the Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak Government today. Indeed, I am in full support of an anti-hopping provision in the Federal Constitution to avoid such betrayal of the people’s democratic right in future.

I now know how important it is to have such provision, and how disgusting some of our politicians can be today. But again, with my limited knowledge of what is going on, I might be biased.

I believe the Sultan of Perak has his reasons not to dissolve the state assembly. But indeed, maafkan patik Tuanku, with fullest respect to Tuanku, I am puzzled with Tuanku’s decision.

There is nothing much to say for now, but a poem.

The people’s power WAS in the ballot box,

because they VOTED out of the box;

Four people betrayed the box;

there is no more………

P/S: The author realises his limitation as a citizen, and is not sure whether his vote makes a difference after all. He is terribly disappointed.

Perindopril Peril is no Thrill

Just some recap about what happened on my last hospital appointment on Tuesday. All the results are out and the doctor still does not know what is wrong with me. This sounds weird. Yes, it is.
——————–
1) My blood test is fine.

2) Cholesterol level (both HDL and LDL level) is superb and ideal.

3) Urine is normal.

4) Blood sugar is fine.

5) Blood pressure is still consistent at 140/100, which is not normal, but I thank God that it didn’t go any higher. I suspected that the pressure was high because I was holding my bladder throughout the whole consultation. I guess I am trying to justify that I am still normal. =) Last reading at uncle’s house was 137/97.

6)  The ECG is not so good. ECG is the acronym for electrocardiogram. Basically, they put cute electrodes on select parts of your body to measure the pulse and function of your heart. I do not know in detail how it works, but yeah, my ECG seems fine to me.. UNTIL the Dr who is seeing me interpreted the ECG chart.

Apparently, she suspects the problem is related to my blood pump machine (read as heart). But, overall, “we still need to do more tests on you to find out what is wrong.”

So, I was referred to a high blood specialist and was given an appointment for an echocardiogram. Echo-cardigram is just a mumbo-jumbo for heart ultrasound.

Meanwhile, while waiting, I am put on Perindopril 2mg for two weeks to see how I respond to the drug. What the world is perindopril? Go figure… =) I also need to do another blood test to check on my renal function after the introduction of Perindopril into my system. (oops, I just dropped a hint.)
———————–
Although the title ‘Perindopril Peril is no Thrill’ sounds bleak, I am in no way bleak. The sole reason I chose it is because it rhymes, in a funny way.

Yesterday, I spoke with a doctor, Dr Francis, in IMU about the possibilities of a hypertensive to pursue the medical profession. Bear in mind that the medical profession consists of the medical school years, housemanship, government compulsory service, and lifelong service to the people.

It is not possible to put the whole content of our discussion here, but let us just say, I was there to see whether the medical profession will aggravate the pre-diagnosed hypertension in my body, whether I can have a good family life, and whether I would be a good doctor. I would like to share some of his wise words:

Can someone like me who is pre-diagnosed with hypertension be able to complete the course?

One or two years ago, I have a student who is also hypertensive. He is now in Australia doing his further training. Call it coincidence, but yes, a hypertensive should be able to pursue the medical profession. (Bingo.)

I heard about the stress during housemanship and the long working hours. Isn’t it stressful?

All profession will be stressful. You can’t avoid stress whether you become a lawyer, engineer, doctor, or businessman. All profession is hard work and you can’t avoid stress. It’s about how you handle it. The question you should ask now is not whether it will be stressful, but how you manage the stress. (Brilliant.)

I am not sure whether I would be a good doctor. I am not the kind of type where “medicine, medicine, medicine is all I want to do, I have nothing but medicine in my mind”. I still have options like engineering, law, and others. Do you think I would make a good doctor?

It is okay to have options. A good percentage of students in IMU does the course and the profession because of their parents. It is good that you are not affected by the parent factor. My gut feeling, and analysis of all the thoughts you have shared with me, tells me that you would make a good doctor. Because you know that it is a big decision, and you are not taking it lightly.(Super kembang.)

Alright. I also heard that doctors do not have enough time with their family. I would love to have a family and spend a great deal of time with them because I think I am very much a family man. Won’t being a doctor hinder me from that?

It is the attitude. The profession is not the cause, but only a catalytic factor. If you do not have the attitude to spend enough time with your family, your medical profession will only worsen it. If you have the right attitude, you can still spend enough time with your family. It is the attitude that counts.

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Earlier, Dr Francis shared with me his three options for his university course when he was my age.

Option 1: Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Option 2: Medicine

Option 3: Surgery

I hope you get this joke.

More to come in next post: How the whole episode has changed my viewpoint as a person? Stay tune.

Day 2 Surveillance as Cikgu Winson

This surveillance report will be quick and brief:

Too busy to write anything. Teachers are overworked. Sports Day are coming up. I am the teacher advisor of Pingpong Club. I am officially a teacher after attending the staff meeting (for teachers only). I might need to send students to competition for ping-pong if required. I am one of the teacher advisors for Orange House (Syahbandar). I am overworked. Was supposed to set paper for Civic, but rejected because it was inappropriate.

Today’s tag line: Being a teacher is not easy.

My Spy Episodes: Cikgu Lee

This is the mission briefing I got from ‘Charlie’.

———————————————

MISSION CIKGU LEE (Cikgu means ‘Teacher’ in Malay)

Primary Objective:

- Infiltrate the Malaysian government’s education system to plant the seed of revolution among impressionable young kids.

Secondary Objective:

1) Teach Civic Education, Moral Education and Physical Education. You will be known as Cikgu Lee throughout the whole mission. The principal who recruited you was Agent Vasu; she’s a deep cover agent. She’s been surveilling for 20 years.

2) Do not blow your cover as a spy agent. Agent Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore are unavailable. They are retired. You are alone, Cikgu Lee!

Target Location: SMK Batu Lapan

Target classes:

1) For Civics: Class 1A, IB, IC, ID, IF, IG,

2) For Physical Education: Class 2A, 2B

3) For Moral Education: Unidentified. Please wait for update.

Mission Length: 2 months

Gadgets Provided:

1) High-tech Ver 1.1 Civics Text Book, Grade 1 Paper

2) Nylon-based Physical Jumpsuit, with fire resistance

3) 5mm Calibre Marker Pen, with refill ammo

Mission Value: RM800 per month (for spies with SPM qualification)

*This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds. 1, 2, 5, BOOM…

———————————

*I am in the “my name is Lee, Winson Lee” mood.*

So, this is Day 1 Surveillance for you, Charlie:

Form One kids are both good and evil. The better classes are easier to manage. The end classes are slightly more challenging to control. Today, using my cover as Cikgu Lee, I managed to deceive all teachers to divulge information about the Malaysian education system:

“Civics is boring, but make it interesting.”

“Civics is dry, but it depends on the teacher.”

“For Physical Education, if it rains, teach using the text book. Get the keys to the storeroom from Box 30. Usually, I don’t follow syllabus for the type of sport they play. What I do is one week for badminton, one for basketball, one for football. “

“Teaching is not easy.”

Thank you, teachers. You have indeed taught me more on how to teach better – and to plant the seed of revolution better.

Day 1 ended with no one suspecting my cover. Some kids didn’t believe my cover due to my age. So, I tranquilized them.

Charlie, I hid them under my table at the right hand corner. Please send the Men in Black to reset their memories. Bring some mosquito coils too.

Day 1 was tiring, but Day 2 would be more challenging. Agent Vasu said, “I’ve got your back covered. I hope you are having fun.”

P/S: I hope this thriller style is working. I have a strong feeling it is not.