Welcome pack to fill up the empty tummies before the dinner. 
Our happy table of hungry Jacks and Jills...
Pak Wei & Camelia
DeDe & Hsin Yee 
Kum HonToday's their big day! Wedding bells, wedding bells....
Another step towards adulthood. Very soon, we'll be hearing pitter patter all around... Fabian will be bringing his kids to our getogethers....
Congratulations, my friends.
I've been receiving many invites to various FaceBook applications, such as Vampires, Werewolves, and so many others....
Now I don't want my friends to see me as snobbish. I've not accepted any of the invites, cos it requires some installation of some sorts into this notebook, which incidentally is not my property.
Hence, please forgive me. I'm available at this blog, via YM, Skype and emails.
It was a public holiday yesterday for the Southern states. First Fasting day of the month, according to the Muslim calendar.
For me, it's an opportunity to explore the villages and seek yummy good food.
The Restaurant below is located in a Chinese village, called Machap. Approximately 30minutes drive from Melaka town.
Rusty old signboard. The place is located inside the village. You won't see it from the main road.
Grapes, in Melaka! (It's sour - wrong soil, but an accomplishment none-the-less).
The myriad of dishes that they served.
The highlight - succulent pork fried with UNPEELED cloves of garlic. The outer garlic skin is crispy, and slightly bitter to the buds. But the whole dish is really good.
4 Heavenly Kings - normally consists of brinjals, four-angled beans, lady's fingers, and long beans.
The tongue burning appetiser to go with the BeeHoon.
Fried rice. Filling, but a little bland. However, the smell is good. Meaning they had a good fire going for this dish.
This is the unhealthy junk I ate to keep me awake for the journey back. It's also my lunch. Yeap, full of sugar and fats. Oh, allow me the indulgence occasionally...
JD in his slumber... Isn't it nice, to be chauffered around, air condition at full blast in his face.I was brought to a quiet little town out of the city for dinner last night. One couldn't help but wonder what attraction this quiet little village had to offer.
It's a quiant Chinese restaurant. The food - exotic animals.
For the initiated, eating deer, ostrich or wild boar would be a normal thing. After all, it's readily available everywhere.
But what about squirrels? Bats? Snakes? Bear paws?
Yeap, this place has it. Good thing we went in a small group, and had to limit ourselfs to a small selection. AND, good thing they're out of Bats. Ewww.....
But we had squirrels, cooked with black pepper. No snakes. No paws. I know, it's restricted. Anyway, the chef made it clear, they don't go importing such stuffs. They cook what they catch in the surround forest. (Isn't that still illegal?).
Now a little review of the squirrel meat. (Sorry no photos. I didn't have my camera with me, nor would want to provide incriminating evidence of this deed).
First off, the thighs were so tiny, is as if we're having mini-drumsticks. It's passable as duck meat, if the bones and ribs were not so obviously cut. And the texture is not that much different from ducks. A little hard, stringy stuff, not much of a taste to be distinct.
As I was munching away, wild thoughts sprung to mind. Of the few notables, I wondered if there are any disease common to squirrels. Or how it was killed. Or how it was stripped of its skin. Or am I committing another great boo boo.
Thoughts easily washed off by large gulps of Carlsberg. Naughty naughty...
One topic came up, whence I knew Joshua's a pastor.
Me, being a first generation Christian.
First generation, being the acceptance of Christianity NOT because the family were. I accepted, my family did not.
I didn't say tell him Dad was brought up a Christian. That his family lienage includes a Catholic nun. That's not my life. Simply, it's not related. It's a personal acceptance.
Joshua did hit some right notes though, as to what being a Christian is. I'm not going to quote him here, as what was discussed may be wrongly interpreted by reading.
I've not been to a Church for awhile. I liked churches. It gives me a sense of peace, of being in the midst of purity. That's what I'd like to believe. Doesn't matter the fact it's a congretion house. It's a place for those who believe to meet.
I've not been there, because I didn't feel comfortable amongst the fellow lambs. But I try my best to live my life as how the Lord would want me to; or how I think He would want me to.
Nonetheless, I was born a sinner, lived a sinner, and perhaps eventually, I might do enough good to earn the Saviour's sacrifice.
Knowing is one thing. Doing, is another. Praise the Lord. Amen.
I had a visitor today, from someone I didn't expect to turn up. It's been quite awhile since he last came.
Joshua lost weight. He's much slimmer since we last met. He's supposed to meet some clients around town, and had popped in early to visit. Pity, I couldn't get him any internet access. Darn wireless is not cooperating. Maybe it's his Vista's security at work, cos my Window XP could access without issue.
Oh well, anyhow, he got his stuffs done. Maybe we'll meet for a drink later.
One more thing. He's now Pastor Joshua! I'm happy for him.
The smile of a clearly satisfied diner... :)
The introducer. He definitely knows his food...
The tongue in cheek does NOT indicate the food quality. She's just hungry...Cheng brought us to a favourite food hangout of his, in Bandar Baru Nilai. I'm going to introduce the dishes to you, which for four person, the bill came up to RM53.00. Quite a good deal...
The name of the restaurant. Not much of a looker, but the food.... Fuh Yoh!
Sambal Fish - sumptuous, delicious.
Oyster Baby Cabbage (Choi Tam) - It's different. Really...
Claypot Tofu - Check out the slices of spring onions...
Fried Spring Onion Chicken - This is a unique dish. You can see the fried onions, in a sauce that I simply cannot describe. It had a lemonish, sweet, sourish, pepperish tinge... Taste it to know.
The potato salad turned out allright. "It'll do better with a tinge of lemon or lime" says Jo. Noted.
Lindy and I celebrated our first anniversary today. I was asked, so how has it been for me?
We kept our celebration simple. Mainly, there's not much places we can go. Also, I can hardly eat anything now, as my heel heals. But she liked it. I enjoyed it.
This is what an anniversary is really about. Reminiscing the experience, celebrating the achievement, being thankful for what we have.
Went for a follow up check today. The dressing was changed, and I had an opportunity to see the actual damage to my heel.
(Pics in Flickr http://www.flickr.com/gp/65716454@N00/P87oCi ).
The result:
"The nodule is composed of a basaloid proliferation of cells extending from the overlying squamous epithelium. The cells distend the dermis as columns and broad trabeculae, and the tumour cells are smaller than the squamous cells of the epithelium, from which they originate. Cyst formation is seen focally within these proliferating cells. In areas, the fibrous stroma is richly vascular. There is no evidence of cytological atypia and mitoses are rare. The lesion is incompletely excised."
In English:
A benign skin tumour.
I finally ventured out of the house, ever since discharged from the hospital. Family went to Taipan for dinner at Pizza Uno.
Guess what, I hopped from the car to the restaurant, about 5 shops away. Normally, the walk would had not mattered much to me, being newsstands, lottery shops and a mamak.
Today, it mattered a lot. First, I garnered lots of attention, this "disabled" guy hopping along the corridor, holding a walking staff (Not stick. Too small to support me). Then, everyone gave way, with a most pitying kind of look. Even the guy who was yapping on his mobile interrupted his conversation, to apologise and move away to give me an obstacle-free path.
So this is what being limb-challenged is like.
I arrived at the restaurant, amidst stares from the patron, and the staffs. Maybe it's because I was sweating profusely in the cooling, air-conditioned establishment. Maybe.
Anyway, dinner was good. The pics can be found in the FaceBook link above, and in Flickr.
Cheers!
This is a little chinese origami, to be burnt as offering to mark the end of the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar.
In another word, the closing of Hell's gate, where the free-roaming "brothers and sisters" are to return to, after 30 days of semester break. Buddhists refer to it as Ullambana.
Uniquely, this is an ancestral worship tradition common to Asian, long before the introduction of Christ.
Besides burning offerings of Hell Money and worldly items, food were also offered. Some, to the extend of having dinner with extra seats and utensils set for the dear departed.
I'm starting to empathise with the people who were born limb-challenged, or at one point of their life, had lost the use of certain limbs.
Waking up this morning, I dreaded getting out of bed. I had to wrap the heel in plastic, avoid putting pressure of the heel, grab my towel, hopped to the bathroom for my shower.
Bathing was a real chore, with one leg propped up high. Pity my other leg, who's gotto support my full body weight (double the work). Finishing, it's another challenge to get out of the wet bathroom.
Changing is the next obstacle. I can't do it sitting, I can't do it standing. Ever tried to change your clothes while hopping around on one foot?
Next comes getting my gear (notebook, bag, phone) and myself down the stairs to the living room. Anyone who saw me would have had a good laugh. There I was, on my butt, notebook bag strapped in front of me, crutch in one hand, and I had to descend one step at a time, on my butt!
Once into the living room, comes the task of getting to the kitchen to prepare breakfast (I get cranky without my morning meal). Tsk.. tsk.. I wanna walk normal again.
As I'm sitting here, the thoughts wander to those who had to live their lifes like this everyday. Perhaps prudence made them choose a better environment, that is, if they could afford to. Who wouldn't want a single storey, disabled-friendly home, with ramps, things within reach and height.
Showering with a stool to sit on, no stairs. My heart goes out all of your.
As the world embarks on the new economy, changes happen to the way people sell. Even hospitals sell, in particular the private ones.
My 2 nights stay at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre had opened by eyes to some very interesting revelations:
Nonetheless, I'd still recommend SJMC. The professionalism of treating patients are there. The quality of service and food is commendable. The staffs are truly friendly, even at 3am in the morning. Of course, upon emergencies, ya.
A note of warning. The photographs are not meant for weak stomachs. Click only if you're not squeemish. Consider yourself forewarned.
Checked into SJMC on Tuesday night. Good thing the pre-admission was done earlier. The insurance Company gave their Guarantee letter, and I was swiftly sent up to my bed, Ward 309-1.
The overnight was a formality, to allow for the insurance claim. Had I were to know the malady that I'm to face in time, I would had asked for a morning admission. More on that.
So I got into bed, with my Stuff and HWM August issues, a headset, plus Astro on TV. Fasting began. Needless to say, I cant sleep.
One, the bed is very uncomfortable, with it's PVC liners.
Two, I got a 2 bedded room and occupied it myself. The solitude is welcome. That is, until the nurse told me, it'll be occupied later tonight. She's expecting patients. :o
8:31pm, Day 1
Had my blood pressure taken. 120/70. I'm a healthy specimen. I watched both episodes of Prince and Me, all the Wah Lai Toi series, and finished my Stuff magazine.
11:30pm
Dozed off a couple of times, knew my eyes are tired, but the mind kept moving. Anxiety?
2:00am
Patient checked in. Young lad blacked out while riding his motorcycle, crashed, boom, bang. The nurse was right. Creepy...
6:05am, Day 2
Another reading taken. 120/80. I'm cool.
7:00am
I'm up, brushed my teeth, changed into the hospital gown (my butt's airy).
9:04am
BP 130/90. I was told the surgery's at 8.30am. Still waiting.
10:30am
The bed/trolley arrived. I'm placed on the bed, blanket over my arms, and wheeled to the Operation Theater on 6th floor.
11:30am
Given local anaesthesia. Darn needle hurts, as Doc poked around my heel.
More waiting.
12:00pm
Dr. Nathan finally arrived, got me under the lights. Darn, the OT is really cold. I'm shivering whilst lying there. I was chatting with the Anaesthesis, and hardly 5 minutes into the conversation, Dr Nathan said done.
12:30pm
Back in my room. Lunch time. Finally, food, after a 12 hours fast.
1:30pm
BP 130/90. I'm expecting to be discharged. But BP's climbing.
2:00pm
Dr Nathan made his rounds. He's not happy with the high BP. Refused to let me go, as he has to take responsibilities for my well being. I'm to stay another night. Bummer...
3:00pm
Dad dropped by. Nice to get a visitor, though I vehemently didn't want any.
5:30pm
Dinner. Steamed rice, curry chicken, steamed vegetables.... the usual healthy stuffs. I want McDonald's!
6.30pm
Dad and Mum came by. They know I'm pissed cos I didn't get discharged. Bored, frustrated, miserable. Oh, and I've not showered since I checked in.
So, I spent the night in the hospital again. Good thing, MayLi, HsinYee, Kum Hon were online. I got to chat with them till 10+, I think.
5:00am, Day 3
BP reading again. It dropped to 120/75. I'm elated.
7:00am
I'm up, raring to go. Cleaned,had breakfast, dressed.
10:30am
Dad arrived. Still no sign of discharge. He went out to the nurse station, and suddenly a flurry of activities. I had my dressings changed (by student nurses, 5 of them). Nice.... ding dong ding dong.
12:00pm
I'm reading to go. Waited an hour, no wheelchair arrived. Yesh, I decided to just go. Dad took the bag, I hopped to lobby.
Guess what, I met Poh Chin and Justin at the lobby. She was at work (PC, you look so sweet in the office attire).
1:00pm
Home sweet home. I showered, grabbed a bite, sat down in front of the notebook and cleared my emails.
2:00pm
Called Dad. Not good. The blood is seeping thru the dressing, and it's dripping on the floor. Dripping, like a faulty faucet. Damn, I'm losing blood fast.
2:30pm
Back to the ER. Blood pressure 160/95. Yeap, that's right. 160/95. I blinked, and blinked.
Dressing was changed, and I'm released with additional rest till the weekend.
Tony and May Li
Terence and Poh Chin
Hsin Yee and May CheanYeap, that's what I was up to last week.
I was driving round an industrial site, seeking a particular factory lot, said to be available for rental. Earlier, the owner had confirmed the lot is being used, but with no signage presently. It's on Road 24.
So I went, driving round and round. There's Road 12, which enters into Road 20, Road 21, Road 22, Road 23. That's the last road.
Hmmm... maybe it's further down Road 12. I went out again, drove down the road, and arrived at Road 31. Strange. What happened to Road 24 to Road 30?
Between Road 23 and Road 31, is a gentle hill, filled with chinese graves! (My hair's standing on end as I write this) This can't be true. It's 11.30am.
I backtracked. Searched again. Nope, Road 23 is the ring road. There's no 24 anywhere. Called the owner again to reconfirm. The phone rang, and rang, and rang. No answer.
That's it. I better scratch this site off the list. Sheesh...
What is happening?
Today's newpaper, and recent times had featured Pastor Oyoung Wen Feng, whom had openly announced his sexual orientation, whilst attempting to lead a flock.
Are we in the right frame of mind to accept or denounce his teachings? I've not heard his sermons. No... but I ask, is he converting the sheep's faith, or converting the sheep's preference?
Is he in actual fact providing an avenue for normal people with a traumatic difference in life from the general others? By normal here, I stress my acceptance of people with an inward preference, not transvestites.
Whilst gay men are no different from the straight, I'll readily swing a punch at any tranvestite/cross dresser who comes near me and growl a greeting in mini skirts.
I had a gay friend. Only, I didn't realise he was that, all thru the 3 years of friendship. I meant, he was a normal, happy guy, with decent manners, and never once did he potray a weakness that rendered him more female than anyone else.
Perhaps it is not right for 2 men to be married, if by marriage, it refers to sex. But for 2 men to cohabitat, assuming roles of parent, while behaving perfectly like men, what's the wrong in that?
Practically, it's more a Malaysian thing too, isn't it? We live in a subservient existence, fighting for all the wrong stuffs, teaming up against all the wrong people. Don't you realize?
I was at SJMC earlier, to see Dr. Nathan, Orthopaedic.
He's confirmed that the growth on my heel is not serious, but agreed to excise it.
So, I'll be checking in end of this month, and it'll be gone overnight. nothing really too serious.
On the plus side, I'll be rid of this for good. I'm hoping this will be the only time I'm getting operated upon.
