Merdeka

Minutes ago, we had just witnessed some firework display in Kota Kinabalu. Justin, Nazri and myself had waited patiently at the marina just to catch a glimpse of the firework display.

There wasn't any spectacular about it and there wasn't much of a hype here really.

The firework didn't shoot high enough in the sky and unfortunately our view was blocked by a higher building nearby.

I am not sure whether there was any spirit of patriotism among ourselves, but then I wonder has anyone ever received any merdeka message?

Here was the only one message I received from a friend.

Me, myself never thought of even sending one, BTW.

I skipped some of the lectures in the afternoon and wandered off to town for some sight-seeing. There wasn't much interesting things to look around here. If one talks about shopping, I suppose nothing beats KL.

I randomly ordered some local Chinese food just to try out.

Here is Tuaran Fried Noodle, RM 4.50. Quite expensive, for a Penangite standard huh..

Across The Waters

This was like watching a medical drama or some sort like that.

First day, lectures were delivered in Selayang Hospital and they were transmitted live to the audiences in KK.

In addition, endoscopic procedures were also performed and we could watch them live.

I was so impressed with the image qualities.

Hope they will produce them in CD or DVD so that others could watch them again.

Here I come, Sutera

Here is a five-star resort I am currently staying.

Everything thanks to drugco, otherwise I would not be able to enjoy such luxury.
The design of the room is somehow quite resemble CPMutiara.
With a small window, where one could enjoy peeping at someone else doing their business. Vice versa, one could also watch the TV while soaking.
The bath room is quite spacious.
But, the best part is, where most of the 5-star hotels in Penicular lose out to, is this broadband internet access which is absolutely FREE.

Flying off

After a one day off, and work, here I am flying off again.

Corner One Cafe

Here is a new hawker centre behind Penang Plaza. Previously, this place used to be aquarium and pet shop. As far as I could remember, this aquarium existed since the 1970s. During childhood, I used to hang out at this place often to watch various tropical fishes on display.

Opposite this, what used to be a funeral parlour, now is converted to a shop selling 2nd hand and decorative items.

Passing by here, I felt some kind of eerie feeling, of flash memories of hearing some funeral chanting and peoples' mourning cries. Eeeew...

Pulai Spring

Just wanna share the excitement of staying in one of the luxurious and finest resorts in our country.

Here is Pulai Springs Resort, some 20 minutes taxi drive from Senai airport.

Well, I was really so grateful to my "boss" for looking for sponsorship for me, so that I was able to attend the most happening event of the year in the derm community.

The annual event was held in this beautiful golf resort, as I was not surprised, many of these 'high-class' docs are kaki-golf too.

I had been to many conferences and scientific meetings around but never this. The meeting was indeed an eye-opener to me, as it gave an opportunity to get to know the rather seclusive 'who-is-who' in the derm community.

Even though, the lectures and updates were a little too packed (we were always behind time), I had a great time learning a lot of new things. I was particularly impressed by the Singaporean speakers, and this came to show how far apart we were behind them.

The best thing about the whole thing was, I collected various ranges of beauty and cosmetic products to try on.

But, there was one thing so 'sian' about going for conferences, was the long and tiring traveling.

I had checked out at 1pm, reached airport at 1.30pm, waited till the next flight at 3.50pm, reached KLIA at 4.40pm, waited till 7.15pm, but the flight was delayed to 8.05pm, and further delay till 8.30pm, and finally reached home at 9.30pm.

All together, I spent 8 hours or 1/3 of a precious weekend traveling.

Standby again

Some pictures taken last Saturday night, where I had to be on standby again for PM's visit to Pg to officiate an event over PISA.

This was the first time I had ever got nearer to our PM, some 10 metres away.

One thing so fascinating about our Mr. NiceGuy was, during his speech, he kept on addressing himself as Pak Lah. Such a humble person he was. No wonder everybody cheered for him.

He was just like everyone's VVIP, so warm and friendly. One could even go up and hug him if one wishes, cause there was no body guard around.

Swatow Lane, not again?

Here again, I was in this so called one of the 'happening' hawker centre in Pg, but it has been so 'happening' for the wrong reason.

If it wasn't for the convenient of parking, I wouldn't even thought of setting my foot here. Yes, the parking cost RM0.50 per hour. Cheap.

My recent visit here, witnessed a different scenario now. More and more stores had been set up but still they are the same variety of 'common' local Pg junk food. What's so great?

There are two stores selling curry mee, and both suc*s, anyway.

Be warned, my tone sounded a bit hard now.

As more and more people'd been attracted to go there by word of mouth, their business had soared tremendously, so much so, the hawkers there had become rude and arrogant.

Some of them had implemented 'self-service' concept to the customers. If you want Chee Cheong Fun, you have to line up, pay on the spot and carry your own plate, a la McD style.

If you want Koay Teow Th'ng, at least not so bad, the food would be served to your table, but you have to walk to a designated place to get the spoon and chopsticks yourself.

My last visit there witnessed a full-packed lunch hour. We managed to get a table in the middle, but for some mysterious reason, the table's number was missing.

My friend wanted to eat Tom Yam Noodle, he was asked, "What's your table number?". My friend told the store owner that our table didn't have number and the reply was, "Oh, we don't serve if there is no table number", arrogantly.

"Bugger, so Lan Si, go to hell lah, you think you Tom Yam Mee is so super great ah?", my friend cursed, of course in his mind, and walked off.

By the way, if you happen to be there, avoid these: Wan Than Mee, Laksa, Chicken Rice, Koay Teow Th'ng, and Curry Mee, serious, as I've tried 'em, real suc*s; and probably Tom Yam Mee too, cause it is as horrendous as the store owner.

Alternatively, walk across the road to the old original Swatow Lane coffee shop.

7th Lunar Month

Today marked the first day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar where a month long celebration of the Hungry Ghost festival begins.

For a start, here's some candy for the wandering souls first.

PC fair

Got a fair deal during the recent PC fair?

Well, I bought this little cute baby from Eacan for RM89. Very nice high pitch sound and quite a powerful bass despite the size. Apparently, I was told by the salesman that this model won the best design award.

I went to the PISA PC Fair on the first day and it was already jam-packed in the evening. Paid two bucks for the entrance parking fee but it was so difficult to get a parking space even after two circling, and finally double-parked near the dump site, and on top of that, had to walk a distance to get to the exhibition hall.

Should have parked at the roadside and pay nothing!

Anyway, people said there usually be more bargain toward the last day, but no longer true. It was the reverse scenario.

I went there again on the last day.

I bought this SD card for RM45 earlier, but was sold out on the last day.
I bought this pendrive for RM65 earlier, but it was RM73 on the last day.

Lesson learned. Go on the first day and park at the roadside, ok?