Day out in KK

As been told beforehand by a friend, we would most probably be brought to two places in town in the day trip out.

One of it was, none other than this, a frozen seafood factory. There were variety of fishes and sotong, all nicely packed and frozen for sale. I don't understand what so special about it, that I supposed I get fresher seafood in Penang. One thing about the price, "eye-propping".

Then, we were brought to this famous Filipino market, just in front of the Le Meridien Hotel. The place is too cramped and stuffy.

Guess, we only needed to walk one row, cause everything is the same.

Nexus Karambunai

Yet, another luxurious resort I got to stay, thanks to drug company. It was a two-day scientific meeting held hundred miles away.

Nexus, which is probably the most exclusive resort in KK, took us nearly 45 minutes ride from the airport.

Located some 30 km northeast of KK, this resort lies on 3,335 acres of unrivalled natural and landscapped surroundings on the spectacular Karambunai Penisula.

My room, which has a garden/golf view, cost a whopping RM760.00 a night.

Though feeling extremely tired of the travelling, it worth the long and exhaustive journey there.

Occupational hazard

Today, we had a mortality discussion on a very sad incidence of a young staff nurse who recently died of tuberculosis.

She was a 23 years old nurse, who presented with one week history of generalized headache. A CT brain initially done was reported as normal.

On further questioning, she gave history of on and off cough for the last two years, started when she was still a student nurse. She also had history of neck swelling with abscess formation. Non of her family members had TB before. She was previously investigated for tuberculosis, but all investigations were apparently normal or non-conclusive.

On the recent admission, her CXR showed some patchy opacities over the left lower zone, with some small cavitations on 'closer' look.

However, her condition deteriorated and the CT brain repeated one week later showed an obstructive hydrocephalus with some hypodense lesion over the left thalamus region.

This was when her sputum later found to be positive for AFB (Acid fast bacilli).

She was thus referred here for emergency EVD.

MRI done few days later clearly showed a well-defined tuberculoma.

Unfortunately, she died ten days later post-op.

It really saddened us that she died in the course of her duty, as the doctors failed to diagnose her as having TB for the past two years, even though she was symptomatic.

Part of the reason, probably because of her atypical CXR and failure to demonstrate a positive sputum.

This come to question on, how save is our working environment nowadays. Just wonder how many percent of us are affected by occupational hazard?

Xmas Mood

Here are some colorful decorations seen in Petaling Street.

S@nway Lagoon

After the Mentari disaster, I met a friend, a budding neurologist, who was staying in S@nway Lagoon Resort Hotel, sponsored by drug company. He was alone and he offered to share his room.

What a marked difference from my previous hotel.

Obviously so, this is a five star hotel.

Five star feeling too.

Five star view.

And, thanks for sharing the bed too.

Pan Mee

Being a fussy Penangite, I've never found any food so distinctive of KL except this one.

I have never missed this particular famous "Petaling Street Backlane Pan Mee", as I called it, every time I am in KL.

Price: RM 3.20 (small)

NADI

So this year again, I had the privilege to attend 5th Practical Diabetes Updates organized by National Diabetes Institute (NADI), at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre. I rather didn't quite like the venue because Bandar Sunway is located quite far from KL and is not accessible by LRT. So, I took a Metrobus (No 10) from Kotaraya to go there, costing only RM2.50 for a half an hour ride.

Nevertheless, judging from such a huge turn-out, SPCC probably is one of the most 'spacious' venue qualified to host such a big event of the year. However, the food sucs! I did make some comment about the awful food over there in last year event, but probably that had fallen into a deaf ear.

There wasn't anything new anyway, but I did enjoy listening to few of the speakers, particularly Prof. Dato' Khalid Abdul Kadir. He was full of humours, unfortunately few people understood his jokes. I am a big fan of him anyway.

There were quite a number of prominent speakers from the local universities, however, what strikingly missing were those Endocrinologists from UMMC. I don't know why they were not invited (or rather, not interested?). I heard from some friends, there was some political reason.

Whatever it is, I had a great time in KL, though rather rush, and I wasn't able to concentrate much, as I was 'troubled' by an uncomplete project.

Till then, I don't think I would be able to attend next years' event (cause I've been there twice), unless some 'drug co.' is willing to sponsor me.

Sun Inn Mentari Hotel

Went to NADI course last week. Been a 'last minute' person, I found that all the hotel rooms were fully booked a week before. Even the budget Sun Inn Lagoon Hotel was full. I had no choice but to book a room in Sun Inn Mentari, some 500 meter across the road from Sunway Pyramid.

This was what I got, a pretty simple, odd triangular shaped room in the third floor with strong cigarette odour. I purposely requested for a room with window, as I could't imagine myself suffocating to death, which proved to be disaster!

This room was located facing next to the busy highway, yes room with window, and the whole night I only heard car and motorcycle engine noises. Rooms with window cost RM 90 and without, RM 85.

322

My maternal grandmother's house.

The kitchen.

The old "grinding machine" my grandma used to grind rice, to make chee cheong fun.

Bali

Some of the pictures taken in Kampung Bali in Tronoh, my grandparents and parents' hometown.

The busy 'market' by the roadside.

My aunt selling glutinous rice with kaya.

Most of my relatives still stay here.

Cinta Sayang

It was a peaceful and relaxing Saturday morning, I had to wake up early in the morning and rushed myself all the way to attend a course in Sungai Petani. The course was held in Kelab Cinta Sayang.

On arrival, I met my specialist who gave me a big surprise on her face on seeing me there. Ye, me surprised too. It was a course organized mainly for OPD doctors. Seriously, I didn't know what the course was about until I reached there.

Anyway, I didn't think I would lose anything less by attending such course. It was basic and I did learn a lot of new things which I would find myself too lazy to read.

I had a great time in Kelab Cinta Sayang, so impressive of this little hidden treasure of SP, considering I have never been here in my previous three years in SP.

Initially, I thought it was a 'big' thing having it organized in other state. I thought there would be a lot of participants from Kedah state as well.

I was wronged, and things that I still could not comprehend was, why on earth do we Penangites have to travel all the way to Kedah just to attend a simple day-course?

Padi field

Lushing padi field in Yan

Year end is coming

With a blink of eye, we are now in November, near end of the year, Christmas and a new year soon.

Though we just celebrated Hari Raya, and some people still in the Raya mood, some shops were already started putting up Christmas decorations and playing Christmas songs.

It always been a busy moment during this period of time, where people would rush through to complete the tasks they have not done and to fulfill the resolutions they have pledged at the beginning of the year.

Every departments would be told to clear all the allocations that has yet to be spent (or else they won't get it the following year).

Everyone would also be rushing to summit their assessment forms for promotion and some would have to clear their unused leaves.

November is going to be a busy month, as there are many courses being conducted too. This month alone, I am going for three courses.

It always be the year end where I could play the same Christmas songs, really remind me of those fond memories.

I love the weather, it is clear, shinny blue sky with a strong cold wind blowing in the morning, reminding me, Chritmas and new year is coming.

Not too early to play the Christmas songs huh?