My Picture Story: Butterworth

Sorry if the picture quality leaves much to be desired...but what do you expect of a phone camera?

A view of Pearl View Hotel, where I stayed for the last three days

My hotel room: you can see how cheap and simple it is...

Well, this is the shower - no bath tub for me to soak my weary body in...

A view of Butterworth town

Another view of the town, towards the north

Sunway Carnival Mall: the latest 'lepak' place in town

In the background is the Sunway Hotel, Seberang Jaya

But it seems very empty...maybe it's a weekday...

Not many places with an indoor car showroom in a shopping complex!

OK, this is a camera effect gone horribly wrong...but at least you now know there's a
GSC cinema in Seberang Jaya!

That's my dinner last night! Grilled sumthing Platter from Manhattan Fish Market...it tastes better than it actually looks! Phew!

This is another shopping complex: Penang Megamall; haven't gone there yet, but definitely something to look forward to for my next trip!

On my drive back: heavy weather ahead! It rained, nearly had my car sideswiped and crashed into fallen tree - what an eventful drive...

Kuching: 25-27 September 2007

Cat City. But really I didn't see any cats at all! Anyway it's still a bit of a sleepy town in my opinion. Definitely not as happening as Kota Kinabalu. Well, I guess the town is a bit bigger compared to the last time I was here 12 years ago, but the main places of attraction remains as I remembered it. Some things never change, do they? Stayed at Harbour View Hotel - it's OK, but fell short of my expectations due to the lack of broadband Internet connection. But the dinner I had on Tuesday night - urrgh, it was as if the chef pured a whole bottle/bag or salt into the mee mamak goreng; with such a meal small wonder high blood pressure is not uncommon among Malaysians!

Anyway the trip and work was rather uneventful. Was brought around the city by a drug rep - but couldn't catch the breadth of the city and its places of interest on such a short time. But two things of interest happened on my was there and back. On my flight there, there was some 'drama' as a medical 'emergency' occurred and I was summoned - let's just say it was not any emergency (and it damn spoiled my reading pleasure!). And on my was back this evening, I bumped across a long-forgotten friend at the airport - I couldn't even recognise her at first but she recognises me! - and caught up on things. It's a refreshing end to a tiring journey.

Well, my shows are downloading fairly fast; can't wait to sink my teeth into them...bye for now!!

Eye opener

Had a management meeting today. Since I am new, everything was quite an eye opener. Never been a person who cared about the mechanics of an organisation (since we doctors were too busy anyway), exposure to such information is really enlightening. Now I know why the company has to work in a certain way to ensure 'profitability'. Erm, that's in inverted commas because I'm in a non-profit organisation - so technically we have to call it surplus - but it basically means profit. Runs right down from the boss to Finance and Administration to Human Resource to Operations and Fund-Raising. All the cogs in the wheel has to be in place and run properly for smooth running of the organisation. The less disruptions the better. I guess that is true for all organisations, big or small.

After the meeting we has a dinner at a seafood restaurant in Section 14. Never realised there was one there. Well I'm not one for seafood, but I had to support it lah...anyway no comments on the food. The price was a bit heavy on the wallet though...maybe I'll bring some friends over there for dinner, and have them pay for it! Yeah...

Johor Baru: 17-19 September 2007

My first trip down to JB in two years. The drive was quite uneventful - since I started off at 5 in the morning - and smooth. But ran smack into the morning jam in JB town centre! Well, a jam is a jam whether it be in KL or JB. Anyway had to work for the next three days to the bone. It was tiring but I'm glad that the patients are generally uncomplicated. Stayed at the Crystal Crown Hotel - like I said before, I am a person of little expectations, but this hotel fell short of my one only requirement! Anyway it's OK for a short stay. Think it was the same hotel that I stayed in two years ago. The trip was too short for a trip to Singapore. Maybe next time. The drive back today was rather mundane as well. Anyway I survived the trip safe and sound: after all JB has got a real nasty reputation these days.

Met a friend of mine with his own clinic on Tuesday night. Guess business was fairly good from the number of patients I see in his clinic. He's a bit modest, but like most Chinese (and like me too!), financially prudent. We had dinner/supper at the Old Town coffee house in Nusa Idaman (or something like that) - it's the biggest one I have seen so far; makes the ones in KL look puny. And business is good too, judging by the number of customers they have at 10.00 p.m. at night!!

Kuching next week then!!

Kota Baru: 8-11 September 2007

Was in Kota Baru over the weekend for a company trip. Wow...it's amazing how the town has grown over the last ten years since the last time I had been there. And there are traffic jams too! Weather was a bit on the hot side...I guess it was better than if it was raining. The hotels were nothing to shout about (I won't name names) - pretty old and run down but live-able, if your expectations are not too high. I'll make it a point to stay at the newer hotels the next time around. People there are rather nice as a whole, although they view non-Kelantanese a bit suspiciously. I'm not surprised as Kelantanese supposedly are very parochial and more xenophobic than people from other states.

Was introduced to this fare called nasi kukus - which is supposed to be like some form of glutinous rice with your choice of dishes. Unfortunately for me, I can't tell the difference so it ended up tasting up like normal rice for me! Anyway, it's a change from the usual food I partake. Sorry, no pics! Maybe the next time around. But I missed tasting nasi kerabu (which I quite fancied when I was in Kota Baru previously).

A bit difficult to travel around though, as the buses and taxis were difficult to find. You have to call for taxis, and the charges were exorbitant - so a bit difficult if you have to lug bags all over the place. Guess I need a car if I want to explore. Didn't have the time to visit the places of interest. It's all about work.

Speaking of work - it is quite enjoyable as I get to travel around and see different places. Not so boringlah... Next stop Johor Baru!

Butterworth: 20-21 July 2007

Hey, this was my first outstation trip for my new work. Quite an uneventful drive - I had to hope that my 8 year-old car wouldn't give up along the way. Apart from a bit of rattling when the speed approches 110 km/h, it behaved admirably. Took four hours, but at least I wouldn't have to worry that I could be caught for speeding! Of course there are a lot of speed demons on the road. Hope they got their dues...

I have never been to Butterworth; only to Penang Island - and that was at least six years back. Can't comment on the town since I saw so little of it. Well, the hotel (Pearl View) was OK - it had the thing I needed most: a free Internet broadband connection!! Managed to go over to a shopping centre - Sunway shopping complex, I think (yes, there is a Sunway there) - but nothing much to shout about, by KL standards.

But the food is really cheap. And tastes good too. Maybe not as good as Penang island, but I can't quarrel with the price. Can't remember the last time eating char kuay teow for RM 2.20, or a humongous claypot chicken rice for RM 7.00! Now that's value-for-money! Maybe the next time I'll have a bit more variety...

Looking forward to my next trip...

New Beginning...

First day of my new job...can't say whether I will enjoy it or not. I hope for the best. I think I need at least a year or two to get a feel for the job, and then I will decide on whether to stay or move on - anything less would not be enough. Stayed a bit late to read operations manuals...geez, there's a lot of reading involved!

Will be starting my attachment in HUKM on Thursday - so it's back to hospital life for me. That's for one month...and after that it's the real work!

I quit!

I've finally had enough!! Just submitted my 24-hour notice of resignation. Calling me back to work during my leave when there are others available really was the final straw. And to think that I was contemplating withdrawing my resignation letter. Hmmph... But at least they made the decision for me!!

So I'm officially done with Government service. But I guess no one will miss me...life will just go on as usual. And what am I to do for now? Hmm...I have no plans to work yet - I can concentrate on the stock market for now and cross the bridge when I come to it. I have little expenditure, and I think my finances can withstand the strain for a few months; after all, it's not like I have nil income - the stock market holds opportunities, although a salary would be nice. I'll see how it goes.

The year is still young after all...

Happy 2007!!

Well a belated happy 2007 to everyone out there...belated being this posted 3 hours late. As usual I find myself working on a public holiday, despite all the best-laid plans; but I guess that's the life of a doctor. Fireworks and celebration? Hmm...the only fireworks and celebration tonight is the gunshot victim I handled just now (err, that's as close to fireworks as I can get!). Phew!

So who know's what's in store for 2007. But in any case I wish people all over the world peace and prosperity and good luck for this coming year.

Here we go!!!

Resignation

Have finally decided to resign from Government service. I am giving the required three-month notice. OK lar...since I've got almost a month and a half worth of leave to take.. Things are really not going down well with me. And with most of my colleagues as well.

My main grouse? Having to work the noon the following day after a night call is really too much. And to think that this is the only Emergency Department that I know with such requirements! I do not want to be a party to human error that will lead to death to a patient! Our Head-of-Department can't do much as this is the Hospital Directors prerogative. Combined with the fact that I have to be at home to help look after my father didn't leave me with much of an option. I guess this has been a long time coming...but the first step is always the hardest!

The coming year would be very interesting one for me indeed...

One more to go!

Hey it's nearly the end of the year now!! And you know what that means...the holidays are here! So this year is a bit different...there's Christmas as usual, and then the year end Hari Raya Haji and New Year holidays. So a lot of people get the chance to partayyy...

But unfortunately not for us poor doctors. Holiday or not, we still have to work. But I guess that's our line of work, and we are resigned to this fact. Well as for me I'll be working over the long year-end holidays, and I'll probably take leave after that. I guess it's in my nature to allow people to party and me to suffer...ha, ha...

Oh, well it won't be for long now...the suffering will end some time. Till then just have to stomach and endure the pain. Who knows, when the pain ends, it may be for the better?

Day In, Day Out

I never thought being a doctor could be so routine. Well, if you look at the big picture it is: you get up, go to hospital, see patients, treat them, leave, and go back home. But I guess any other job is routine.

But lately the routine-ness have been getting out of hand. Even when working in the Emergency Department. I guess it probably have to do with the large numbers of patient not needing emergency care...these are probably the most irritating and routine part of the job there. Imagine seeing innumerable cough and colds, sprains and backaches, headaches and sore throats...it can drive you crazy. At least it puts your brain to sleep: and work on a spinal reflex level. Trust me, I am working at this level.

Once in a while however the lightbulb up in my head shines brightly...the occasional case that needs a spark to put it all together, but these are far and few in between. It is these cases that makes me cherish and love being a doctor, not listening to grovelling 'sick' patients most people are...(sorry if I actually offend the truly sick). Compassion is certainly in short supply in the Emergency Department, especially if you work day in, day out.

Well I guess there are other ways to spice up one's life: change departments, move to the public health sector, or be a specialist and mix around with the big boys (?!). But i'm not into these things...too bad ain't it? Oh well, that's what you get for being a lowly-paid civil servant these days. Things will get better, but how we wish that it would happen faster than it's snail pace currently...

Anyway, it's back to the daily grind and run-of-the-mill stuff...at least my spinal reflexes work for these boring days...and let's hope for at least, an occasional fireworks...

Selamat DeepaRaya

It's that time of the year again: Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa occurring within a span of one week!! Means rest and relaxation for most people, but not me.

Of course the Emergency Department cannot be closed, but there is a noticeable drop in the number of patients. Well at least the non-urgent ones mainly. Thank God for that, because this group of people are the ones distracting us from providing proper care for emergency cases: with all their whining and complaints. Sheesh...go to a private hospital then!!!

Sorry, I've gone off course...anyway good wishes to all celebrating this double celebration!!!
Happy holidays too!!