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| Wednesday, 15-Oct-2008 21:15 |
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It's All About Family N Get Together In The Month Of Syawal
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The Sleeping Beauty
It's been more than five months since my last input. No special reason. Now that the month of syawal is here, I suddenly got the urge to sit down and to reposition both my head and fingers. This auspicious month in the muslim calender means a family get together. The beautiful fact about the family get together for my siblings is that unavoidable good and sound rest during the day. It is hereditary and most of my brothers love this activity very much...one way or another. 
The Savvy Group
   
Of course there is also those that can't leave their notebooks behind and was engrossed in their own way either busy chatting, browsing and the likes..
The Women Behind The Scene
  
Without my dear sisters and sister in law...all of us would have gone with empty tummies. Thanks to them..the first raya was filled up with Beriyani Johor and the second day was Laksa Johor. Laksa Johor is nonethless the malay menu of spaghetti.
 
My Beautiful Nieces/Nephew And Sister
   
That's how the first and second raya was spent in the present, very much different then many years ago.
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| Monday, 5-May-2008 09:40 |
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Deviation Other Than The Doctor's Prescription
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Today I am feeling better then any other days. First thanks to Somchit for giving me some good tip. Somchit dropped by my house yesterday evening to send me some acar limau that Nab made. I was supposed to learn how to make that acar limau from Nab. Unfortunately I was not able to do so with my present condition. Nab makes the best acar limau and it's the best appetizer ever. Somchit knew of my vertigo and of late the tinnitus that has developed in my inner ears. She suggested that I take isotonic drink for my vertigo. It happened that one of the lecturer at Kolej MARA Banting took isotonic drink when she gets that frequent dizziness in the afternoon. It seemed it helped to relieved from the symptom.
Yesterday was my first trial on this isotonic drink. Carbonated drinks too has never been my liking what more this isotonic drink. But it's worth trying if this can help improve my condition. Yes true enough this drink improves my vertigo and that's why I feel better today. But most of all is the freak incident that I experienced last night that helped lessen the discomfort to my inner ears. On my way back from my sister's place in Kota Damansara I stopped by to have a cold glass of nescafe. Due to the hot weather yesterday I thought it would be refreshing to have an iced tea. Instead I bought an iced nescafe. It's been sometime since I had any iced tea or coffee. The iced nescafe really made a surprise surge to my nerve and it shot right to my head. That eerie feeling of being iced cold...and surprisingly it helped to reduce the noises and the deafening sound. For the frist time for more then a month never have I felt better.
Now I know what I am going to do to help improve my condition. First is to take the isotonic drink at least one tin a day. Secondly I am going to have an iced blended mocha or whatnots at any of the restaurant or even at the starbucks....of course even with this small out of the way treatment (not scientifically proven) which I gained through my own experience, I am still true and earnestly taking the betaserc, the tanakan and the B12 for my betterment. From yesterday my daily intake of betaserc has reduced from 3 times to twice a day as suggested by Dr. Awal. At times our own experience or others may be of great help beyond what has been prescribed by a doctor.
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| Wednesday, 30-Apr-2008 16:15 |
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Going For a Second Opinion
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It was early this morning in order to avoid brooding over my BPPV, I decided to log on to my computer just after completing the task of watering and talking to my plants. I sympathize my plants for having to thrive on the dusty air at the moment. Early in the morning I gave them a cold shower to quench their thirst to last until evening. Soon after I was logged on the computer. It must be the word BPPV mentioned in most of my fotopages entry that attracted advertisements about vertigo, tinnitus and related syndrome. I went through and some of the writeups put butterflies in my tummy. On impulse I told my hubby that I want to go for another second opinion. A few days before I was told by Tosiah that her sis-in-law had vertigo and she went to have a check up at the Damansara Specialist Hospital (DSH). The ENT was Dr. Awal. The advance readings on vertigo and effects promted me to have an audience with Dr Awal. What opens my intentions to have another checkup is that Dr. Awal was my junior as a residence of 1st Residential College, UM. Of course he was doing medicine. We have not met for a long time (the last time we met was during my visit with Chit to see Fazlan's late wife) . Even during our university days, a group of us Chit, Arah, Salome, Sharinah and me would joke that if any of Awal's group (another was Dr. Rafaie) was to specialised as a gynaecologist...don't hope that we'll be their patients later! Coincidentally Dr Rafaie is Sharifah Hamid's (my ex office colleague) gynae!
Today I was brave enough to decide to see a doctor again. I have always the phobia of having to see a doctor. Of course the environment and the ambient in a private hospital is far better from my visit to the University Hospital. The difference would be if one is sick and you go to a government hospital...the more depress and miserable you'll get! Of course DSH is much pleasing to the eyes. Dr Awal Hassan's clinic has a soothing interiors. As usual I would get this creepy and cold sweat while waiting for my turn. I was the last patient for the afternoon. Once inside and having my consultation the fear subsided. That is the normal me. It was a good and thorough check up done by an ENT consultant on me. I was advised to relax and not to worry so much in order to recover. I was prescribed with vitamin B complex (B12) and tanakan (gingko bibloba) and to continue taking my betaserc. Both the B12 and tanakan allow the blood capillaries to flow well to the choclea and the canals in my inner ear that would transmit the flow to the brain so as to get a good balance.
As for Dr. Awal, the groovy hair that used to cover his forehead has now receded to show a more matured consultant and specialist. As a doctor he is cool and giving advises beyond medicine. It was a good consultation today. He has two boys, one doing medicine and the other is about to follow their big daddy's footstep too.
A day gained and I learnt more and more about vertigo, that buzzing sound called tinnitus. Having a fotoblog helps a lot too, for out there are many hungry authors/sellers trying to promote their books, medicines, eagerly hoping to squeeze in advertisements about BPPV aside my daily entry. This is the marvel of having the internet...the positive side of it.
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| Tuesday, 29-Apr-2008 14:15 |
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Thank You To All My Friends
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Rohayah Who at the Moment is Busy Trying To Accomodate My Time and The Others for a Reunion
Thanks a lot Aya for all the troubles you have been going through trying to accomodate my time and the others for the so called overdue lunch meet. I know it's not easy to do all these little things when at the last minute the arrangement has to be cancelled. You need to have a lot of patience and perseverance to be a project/event manager. Though at times that small frustrations will tend to speak out loud. It doesn't matter, after all we are just human. Above all these small gestures may not be so noticeable but truly it pays and be remembered by some others especially your friends.
On the same topic I am being reminded of that beautiful song Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. I have always love this song and coincidentally it was aired on The Pursuit Of Happyness. Please watch this movie if you want to hear this melody. I guessed that's why I cried when I saw the movie. Both Chris Gardner and son, Christopher, was on the train when the song was played as a background music. Among the lyrics when you are down feeling small and tears are in your eyes, I' ll dry them all........ooo when you need a friend... There are times when I can remember all the lyrics and at times I can't..sorry for that.
Today my left ear is feeling very uneasy. To forget and not sulk over it I spent my whole morning browsing the internet. Was going through and reading some blogs. It annoyed me when too many people are using the short youngsters or digital? language. On most occassion I have a hard time trying to make out the words. I am very conventional that one has to complete a sentence for others to be able to understand what one is writing. Not that my english is good..but I spent or wasted my time trying to read and digest the content. In fact when I started this blog I was more keen or trying my hands on photography, instead I found that writing seems to be a good self theraphy. Other than that I need to upkeep and practise my written english which has gone rotten since I left the university. At times I can't even spell a simple word and I felt terrible ...and that was how this blog started. I must say my whole 30 years working with a government agency and putting your words and ideas mostly in Bahasa Melayu (BM)...does not make me a better writer in BM. At the end I do not swell in either, mediocre yes. Though at times when you are done with one writeup, you feel just proud regardless of what others got to say, after all it's the superior's choice that matters! Now it's my choice I do at my own free way and according to my whims and fancies. This is what I called freedom of choice, finally. Just like being born free.
To Aya and the others, again sorry for the inconvenience. I promised when my health permits I'll be at the young ladies reunion. I'll bring loads of story and happenings to relate to you all...
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| Monday, 28-Apr-2008 09:30 |
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When You Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed
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It's monday again. There are days when you find that time flies fast but on certain days you just feel time crawls. Right now how I am feeling? Well, time is crawling. With my BPPV, almost a month now, and the house undergoing repairment work, I really feel down. This morning I escaped getting up feeling bad. I managed to water my plants and talk to them after weeks of ignoring it. I just want to get away from that miserable feeling to see the surroundings and my garden being encroached by the piles of woods, the building materials and the construction tools. I must say that my garden is in a deplorable condition. I really feel sad.
The Poachers In My Garden
See I can't hardly walk around except for the small space provided in between. I have to be extra careful when watering my plants, whatmore when I have this unbalanced movement where at times you feel the earth moves under your feet. To top it all the the entrance into my gated compound is being decorated with the huge construction trash. This is meant for the contractors to throw all the trash but of late it has become a welcome sight for some clever neighbours to share a part in throwing their unwanted gabbage.
The Huge Construction Trash Welcomes Everybody
Such a lovely (or gruesome) sight I must say! These small things would add up to being grumpy for no reason at all. I wasn't feeling too down this morning, inspite of the deafening and noises in my ears... But not my hubby...who has always being cheerful not until this morning. It all began when my son persisted to drive his car (my son's) to work whereas my hubby has promised Kumar (from the car workshop) to come and fetch the car for some servicing and repair to the jerking engine. Well if my son's car goes into the workshop, there's only my car that can be used for the moment. The other car (my hubby's) is trapped in the car porch surrounded by the building materials since the renovation started. Bad beginning for the day but it lasted for a few minutes and he was himself again when I commented janganlah marah.
In fact from the beginning I have always wanted to move to another rented house but my hubby was against it. Too many things to bring along. Being a matured home of course there are many household items or perhaps hoarding items that has been crowding every corner of my house. Now that I am not in my best health I need to get a new rented place at least for the day to get away from the construction noise, the dust and the banging. This he has agreed that for certain days I checked into a hotel and I am happy. Some times you can get into difficulty convincing a person called lelaki to agree to your suggestion...
My appointment with the ENT at UH last friday took about 2 hours. I was prescribed with extra vitamin B complex other than the normal betaserc for the vertigo. Sadly the vitamin B complex was out of stock and I have to buy from the pharmacy. This week my BPPV is back and I missed the wedding reception of Hamidah Sumiran's daughter. Initially I really wanted to attend the reception but my condition on sunday deterred me from doing so lest I could cope with the crowd and the noise. I have even requested the lunch that Rohayah is arranging on friday Mei 9 to be rescheduled to a later date. I do not dare to walk alone without any chaperon at the moment. The ENT told me that BPPV may take months to recover depending on an individual's strength. I guessed I have to accept my fate and be more positive and cheerful...
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| Tuesday, 22-Apr-2008 13:05 |
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The Pursuit Of Happyness
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Ever felt the daily newspaper is giving you that weird, funny and sometimes stupid feeling, that feeling of you wanting to puke out each time you read the headline. For instance today's NST is enough with the New Look ACA, while The Star has A Free ACA. The past few weeks was on the judiciary system...laugh it out. Strange propaganda in trying to gain the masses confidence. Imagine reading such Entering a new era of transparency and public accountability. My god we must have been sleeping all these years. I just felt the need to pour this out..but again what the hack, there is more to life then these gimmick!
Anyway...I am more keen on the lighter side of life. One that helps to build our strength and a medicine for anti-aging. It was sunday night when I received SMS from Aimi suggesting that I watched The Pursuit Of Happyness. She also reminded me to get ready with some tissues. Since I was having mee udang at RASTA so I missed the first part of the story by the time I got home. Surprisingly I did not shed a tear watching the second half of the movie. Possibly I am used to watching Will Smith on comedy-like movie that I tend to associate him with that genre. But I was moved by the story. The next day I got to watch the whole episode. Yes indeed I did cry on a few scenes especially the scene when Chris (Will Smith) related this part of my life is called running...indeed the whole episode was spent on him running for his kid, time, life and everything. I cried towards the last part when he was called by the board members on his last day of his internship and not knowing whether he would be chosen to stay on. I guessed the dialogue he had with his son If you have a dream, you have to protect it no matter what is the best phrase. Based on a real life story it's a movie to watch on HBO and you will know why happyness is spelled with y not i. I am going to watch it again.
I am running out of photographs since being house bound most of the time for a number of weeks and aslo due to my health that refrained the usual active me to be on my toes. Looks like it will be another few weeks now that the house is under renovation. This too keeps me alive scouting for something new to complement the renovation..for instance the lightings, the bathroom tiles, the bathroom doors and the list goes on and on...but this time around we are much wiser...get something practical, easy to maintain and above all pleasant to the senses. All the work is under the full care of Ah Tan.
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| Saturday, 19-Apr-2008 10:45 |
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The Story Of Ah Tan
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Ah Tan felt he was not well dressed for this!
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Ah Jon The Assistant Was Thrilled When This Was Snapped
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My topic today sounds funny. I am not writing a drama but rather a real life story of a young boy by the name of Ah Tan. I felt the urge to write about him after reading today's NST about the 6 siblings from a chinese family in Paroi, Seremban who were left by their parents to fend themselves. The eldest, 18 years old, having to take care of his 5 other siblings with his meagre income working in a car workshop. They only managed to live in a small rented room. My heart felt for them and reminds me of the movie Gracie's Choice on Hallmark.
As for Ah Tan, he is the young man who supervise the job on the renovation work done to my house. It started with the replacement of the roof tile. Satisfied with the service and work done, my husband decided to give him more jobs to replace the gutters and the ceiling and eventually into upgrading of the toilets. After almost a week with us we came to know more of this young boy of 26 (as old as my eldest son). It all started when he saw me on the computer and complementing me wah pandai masuk computer, dulu kerja Cikgu ke. It's quite ticklish hearing him said so but I decided to probe further and that's where I get to know him better.
The Ah Tan did not even complete his Form 1. He was not interested in going to school and often sleep during classes. At the age of 9 he has gone out to work on a part time basis has a dishwasher in restaurants to supplement the family's income. His father was down with stroke and there was only his mother who earned hardly RM300 a month. By 16 he was already working in a hardware shop and later into building repairing roofs. The rest was history. But I marvelled at his free spririt and how he doesn't mind doing the tough jobs and getting dirty. According to him nowadays very few chinese boys would like to venture into building jobs. Everybody wants to be Ah Long or selling pirated CDs. This way you get to wear clean clothes everyday.
He does things fast and listened well to our complains though at times he talks a lot and very loud too. I noticed he is a reckless driver too. A week with us he has knocked a passing car infront of the house. I guessed when you started rough at an early age these are behaviours that they tend to adopt and will carry with them. But most importantly he is lively and takes our complains well. Sometimes when I am lying down on the couch for a rest and I need to tell/remind him something, he would obediently sit like a son beside the couch to hear what I have to say...he knows how to earn our sympathy. On our part (hubby and me) we are helping this young boy to gain more insight and experience in his job inspite of the slightly higher charges as compared to many other quotations that we got. What matters is the speed, energy that he has and we do not have to move out and rent another house whilst the renovation is in progress. By the end of the day he would make sure that the workers clean up the mess. This was my conditional offer to him.
He can only speak chinese and malay. His spelling is lousy that both hubby and me has to help him out every time he needs to write an invoice for the progress payment. Out of sympathy, I told him that I am willing to help him with the computer if he wants to learn. I just felt at his age he need to have this skill. Compare to my two kids who are fortunate to be equipped themselves, I suddenly felt like extending my help to the others in ICT skill. Along with Ah Tan is his assistant name Ah Jon, only 25 years old. I am yet to know his side of the story, he his very quiet. Not forgetting the 5 workers form Acheh employed by Ah Tan which gets my sympathy every time they have to do the labourious job under the hot sun. After all without them, people like us, would not be able to get many of the repair works done when ever the need arises. As for Ah Tan I hope he excells in is his work and can be a good and reliable contractor one day.
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| Friday, 18-Apr-2008 10:50 |
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Learning How To Cope And Live With BPPV
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Nothing Like This View To Perch From A Tree Top
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It's Cool To Be Alloted A Place Amongst The Green Environment
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I guessed I have to learn how to cope and live with BPPV. So goes the sayiing if you can't beat the crowd join it or rather if the going gets tough the tough gets going. Other then readings through the internet to widen my horizon on this syndrome (there are abundance of information pertaining to this for our reading pleasure), I get many useful tips and advise from my new found acquaintances at the park. Last week I skipped my usual morning walk and so this week when I resumed my usual routine, many of them would enquire about my absenteeism. That's where I get many tips, most useful being the advise take it easy and act natural. Irene (a neighbour who stays on the other side of the road and we got acquainted during our morning exercise) husband's has vertigo and he took it naturally. I'll keep that in mind. Only what bothers me is the noise that I am feeling in my ears. I guessed it's a matter of time that I get adjusted to the new situation.
I am happy that I have this fotoblog to keep my mind off for a while from the syndrome. This would help me to write my experience down and get to share with friends. Only the other day I was watching one of the movie on Hallmark Sacrifices Of The Heart about a father, who in the early stage of alzheimer, was asking her daughter what more would she like to know about the family's past before he forgets even who he is. This scene touched my heart. Deep in my heart my sons and hubby would be able to read my fotoblog anytime in the future...
I must say some drama shown on Hallmark is worth watching since it touches on reality and the everyday life. One way or the other you are bound to experience the drama. Some good and memorable dialogue can be heard in most of the drama. I used to tell some of my friends that I can never get bored watching good movies on Hallmark. Often I would still watch it repeatedly. One that I have watched most is A Time To Remember, Home Coming, Gracie's Choice and of late is A Place Called Home. Coming up is Fielder's Choice. I have watched this movie twice or so and will still be happy to view it over again. Sad enough since my retirement I have not watched any Malay movie or drama. I do not know why. My craze will be the chinese drama on NTV7 or the Korean on KBS World. Lately I learn to like the Korean drama, though it's slightly slow in motion, but I am interested to get to know their language. Such title as Mum's Dead Upset sounds peculiar but I think the story tells a lot about the Korean society and way of Life. About the status conscious that still exists there.
But most of all I felt funny that I would love to watch Project Runaway hosted by Heidi Klum. I have watched all the series before and still is watching the new season on Travel and Living. I wonder would not life be interesting being a designer? They have ample choice in creativity and no limit to what one can do. And of course Opray's show is one of the best..what excites me is the topic being aired. Can Anita Sarawak possibly reached that benchmark? I saw one of hers on Kwek Mambo but I do not quite favour it since most of the time she outdo her guests before they get to tell her their feelings and thoughts..once a while it's good to be a listener.
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| Monday, 14-Apr-2008 11:40 |
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Thank God For Another Wonderful Day
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This will be my 4th week with BPPV. That's why I have to thank god for giving me the pleasure to still breathe and enjoy this life inspite of my health. My balancing is still not too good, my hearing is still ok except that buzzing sound if I stay too active for the day, but most of all I still can switch on to my computer and register myself for the day. Today I got up very early to see my youngest son, Auzan, preparing himself for his first day of his practical training. As usual I was nervous especially when by 8am he is still waiting for Aiman Ridzuan to come and fetch him. Apparently Aiman was caught in tthe early monday morning jam. They left around 8.10am and surprisingly managed to be at Cyberjaya by 8.40am. How they do it I do not know unless the road to Cyberjaya is manageable.
Last saturday, 12 April was my 30th wedding anniversary. With my unstable condition, there was no card. Of late I seldom would like to roam the malls for fear of the loud noise that may stir uneasiness to my hearings. To top it all my house is currently undergoing renovation starting with replacement of the roof tiles...so it's house arrest for both of us on most occasion, with exception for the two outings I had with Dr Aimi and Yati. Both the outings will eventually result in me having to have a good rest to clear my unbalancing mood.
My visit with Dr. Aimi to the Malaysian Handicraft Promotion at the Complex Kraftangan allow me to snap some pictures to complement my blog. The theme something like Craft Kepersada Dunia is fine. Afterall lately everything ends ke persada dunia. I guessed that is what we are good at i.e. howling and bragging but at the end of the day very little gets to go out from Malaysia. I do wonder how they can compete the price with those handicraft from other countries. I do not see any Malaysian craft that is within the price range comparable to other countries. For instance I got to buy a nice wooden tray (handmade) for only RM10 when I was in Chengmai but the Malaysian made tray some what similar to that costs around RM35 (after much bargaining) at the handicraft promotion. As much as I enjoy going there but my condition restrained me that I have to look for chairs to be seated at the stalls that we stopped.
Some Of The Handicraft Items On Display
 
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| Thursday, 3-Apr-2008 11:12 |
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Up And Around Again
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The syndrome that is affecting me now is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This has to do with the inner ears that causes one to suddenly feel dizzy and at times nauseous. When one feels the room is spinning around this feeling is called vertigo. The tiny calcium particles that help to keep our balance are not distributed evenly in the inner ears 3 canals. The particles stimulate nerve cells inside the canals. So when the particles break loose and clump together in one of the canals...this will result in vertigo. Only today do I get to browse the internet and scout for more info in coping with this syndrome, treatment and self care. I have downloaded them into a file for my reading and better knowledge.
Now, I still have a lot to share during my trip back to Pontian. An opportunity to go down memory lane when ever I passed the house (the government quarters) where I have lived for almost 17 years. The police headquarters situated behind the house brought memories of the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia (was it 1963?). The frequent curfew and how we liked to peek from the window, come dusk, to see the armies making their night rounds. The noise made from those walking boots was enough to make you feel so small (of course I was only 10 years old). Above all is the curiosity to run to the police station every time an helicopter was about to land. Why? because they brought in dead bodies and I remember very well seeing dead bloody bodies being thrown out from the helicopter...I do not remember my reaction then but this picture still hang on to my memory.
Enough of this gloomy recount...this is more interesting and I can still find this in Pontian...
The Tricycle Still Being Used to Sell Satay
The satay still tasted as it used to be more then 35 years ago. They are selling it for 40 sen a stick. It has a unique taste and some may not like it, if you are not from Johor, since the taste is slightly sweet. The same taste you may find if you have tried eating satay in Singapore.
One thing that has not changed is seeing MARA new business premises still yet to be occupied ...the one situated near the MRSM Pontian that is the Desa Pelajar and another the new premise built beside the present arcade in Pontian town. Well...my time is over over and done with but in my heart what will it take to have a drastic change? As drastic as seeing the Pontian town, once popularly known as the Cowboy Town, prospering into a heavan for shopping of textiles and curtains. I understand it's a known legend for reasonable and cheap textile around this area, next to Tangkak or Nilai 3. As for me I have not tried to shop and browse around since I have not really been to Tangkak, just once (just passing through during my field trip) nor to Nilai except for an official trip once.
Now that we are into April I am sure everybody is busy with completion of the income tax form. Lim Wun Pei , if you are still reading this, I am already into e-filing and had my info updated into the system last night. It all started when the borang BE that LHDN sent to me was completed with the pin number. My first year discarding the manual way. Suprisingly it is so easy and reliable. Not that I am not good at the uploading of info into the system..simply because, both Lim and me (last year was it), we do not have the thrust on the system. Anyway it is better and faster than the HRMIS cuti on line..I do need a rest now that deafening effect is coming in and it is not comfortable mind you.
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