Random Post

I came across this long bean today. I've never seen anything like it.


A close up of the long bean..wonder what happen to it?
(Mom said it is spoilt)

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A not-so-strange sight in my house.
Mom hates sewing.
I don't like sewing.
So, Dad sewed the buttons of my shirt today. :P

I Have My Own KWSP Account!

I finally received my letter for induction and BTN yesterday. My induction will be in EDC-UUM, Kedah from the 17th Nov-30th Nov and my BTN will be in Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar from the 30th Nov-4th Dec. All my friends who registered on the same day as I did got the same places, so I am quite happy that I would be able to meet them and catch up after so long!

I have 2 worries for now :
1. Which hospital I would get posted to. My 3 choices (in order) were Seremban Hospital, Melaka Hospital and Ipoh Hospital. I really hope that I will get my first choice. *fingers crossed*
2. When will I start work? 4th of December is a Thursday and MAYBE I will have to start work on the 5th. That is SO FAST!! I hope they will give us a break till the next week, but somehow, I doubt it. *toes crossed*

Anyway, today I opened my KWSP account. JJ said that it would be easier to open the account before I start work, and since Rajiv was around, I decided to do it today. We went to the KWSP office quite late, almost at 12pm, and we were quite sure that we would have to wait for hours. When we got there, they gave me a form to fill up and told me that I would need a photocopy of my IC (front and back on 1 page; thankfully JJ told me to prepare it before I went there, so that wasn't a problem). After filling up the form, they gave me a number, and it was my turn immediately. That's right. I didn't have to wait at all. In fact, almost no one was waiting, although there were many waiting chairs. Maybe we were just lucky or maybe the officers there are really efficient. Either way, I got it done!

In about 20minutes, Rajiv and I were out and after tapau-ing KFC, we headed back home.

Now we are heading out again to do some pre-induction shopping. Till later!

Traditional Indian Costumes

Many people often get confused with the names of different Indian costumes. Even some of my friends can't match the garment and it's name sometimes. Here are some of the most commonly used traditional Indian garments (for girls/women) in Malaysia.

Pavadai - usually worn by prepubertal young girls (although teenage girls may also wear them).

Pavadai davani - seldom worn in Malaysia. It consist of a long skirt, a short blouse and a piece of cloth which goes around (the body) only once. Usually worn by teenage girls.


Lengha - it is basically a skirt and blouse, much like the pavadai, but then it is usually more beautiful and elegant. Usually worn by teenagers or those in their 20s. Sometimes, lenghas are also worn by a bride during her wedding.

a bridal lengha

Punjabi suit/Salwar kameez - it consist of a long (sometimes short) blouse, a pants (can be baggy or tight) and a shawl. These can be worn as casual wear (for work, visiting someone) or even for functions.


Kurta/kurti - is a modern attire. It is basically a top/blouse and is usually worn with slacks or jeans.

*click here to view pictures of kurta/kurti

Saree/sari - It is a piece of cloth ranging from 4-9 metres in length. There are many ways one can tie the saree; different parts of India and different enthics tie the saree differently. In Malaysia, it is usually worn for functions and parties, although some older people wear it on a daily basis. In India, many of the ladies wear sarees the whole day long, no matter what they are doing - be it riding a motorcycle, cleaning up the house, even while doing labour jobs.

Malayalee style

Gujerati style
Iyer style

For pictures of other styles of tying the saree, click here.

This post has been written using what basic things I know about the Indian costumes. Some of the information that I have given above might be wrong (although I hope it's not) and inadequate. If you are really interested in knowing more, surf the web. It's that easy. :P

The Most Beautiful Flower

I have never really been interested in poetry simply because I find it hard to really understand what they are trying to say. Most of the time, when I read, I don't understand the figurative meaning. I need things to be said the way they are, literally, not twisted and written in flowery language.

However, there is one poem that I really like. It doesn't require much thinking (which is probably why I like it) and is easy to understand. The first time I read it, I was in secondary school. I have no idea where I came across it, but a couple of years ago, I tried looking it up in the internet and I found it!!

I don't know why I like it so much, but I just do. Hope you like it too.

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER

Disillusioned by life
with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent
on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough
to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath
approached me,
all tired from play.

He stood right before me
with his head tilted down
And said with great
excitement,
"Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower
what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn
- not enough rain,
or too little light.

Wanting him to take his dead
flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and
then shifted away.

But instead of retreating
he sat next to my side
And placed the flower
to his nose and declared
with surprise,

"It sure smells pretty
and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it;
here, it's for you."

The weed before me was
dying......or dead.
Not vibrant of colors,
orange, yellow or red.

But I knew I must take it,
or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower,
and replied,
"Just what I need."

But instead of him placing
the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air
without reason or plan.

It was then that I noticed
for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see:
he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver,
tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for
picking the very best one.

"You're welcome,"
he smiled,
and then ran
off to play,
Unaware of the impact
he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered
how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman
beneath an old willow tree.

How did he know of
my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart,
he'd been blessed with
true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind
child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world
the problem was me.

And for all of those times
I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
and appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower
up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance
of a beautiful Rose

And smiled as I watched
that young boy,
another weed in his hand

About to change the life
of an unsuspecting old man.

Everything Happens For A Reason

Things that have happened recently and (what I think is) the reason it happened.

1. Dad getting appendicitis.
My parents have been paying for their medical insurance for two years now, and my Dad was contemplating to not continue the payments. The appendicitis made him realize that the insurance was indeed a useful thing. I myself am thinking of taking medical insurance once I start working.

2. Dad getting appendicitis.
I had to drive my Dad to the hospital when he had the pain. A few days later, since my Mother was working, I drove to the hospital by myself. This is the first time that I have been allowed to drive alone (since we moved to Seremban). Now, my parents are OK about me driving around Seremban (I think).

3. Dad getting appendicitis.
I will probably get my induction letter soon, and I know that I have to buy some clothes 'cos of their strict dresscode. I was wondering when I am going to go get the clothes since my parents work 6.5 days a week and I feel bad bothering them about going out after their work (they will be tired, of course). Now, I have my Dad's car at home, and can go get the clothes whenever I want to.

4. Dad having MC till next week
I am expecting to get my induction letter next week. I was worried about getting the letter though, what if the Poslaju comes when I am asleep? What if I am upstairs and don't hear the Poslaju? Now, at least I am quite certain that I won't miss it 'cos Dad wakes up early and is downstairs almost all the time. :P

5. Dad having MC till next week
I have to go for my eye check up this Saturday. Since the parking in town is horrible and I am horrible in parking, I can now ask my Dad to drive me to Optimax.

6. Me not getting the previous induction (28th of Oct)
Deepavali was on the 27th and I could fully enjoy and celebrate the day (and the next day).

7. Me not getting the previous induction (28th of Oct)
I could be with my Dad when he had appendicitis and can now 'teman' him at home.

8. Me not getting my car yet.
If I get my car, then I have to start paying for the car loan. Since it is a bit delayed, then I don't have to worry about the car loan payment, at least for now, when I am still jobless.

I think that about sums up the current happenings in my life..can't really think about anything else. The conclusion - Dad's appendicitis is not that bad a thing after all. :P

Reasons To Celebrate

The past week has given 'black' people all over the world a reason to celebrate.

First of all, I want to apologize if the word 'black people' is inappropriate, but then I have no idea how else to put it. African - refers to those in Africa. African American - black people in USA. Then how about black people in Britain? How do I refer to them? For the sake of simplicity and ignorance (of the proper term) I had to use the word 'black people'.

Last Sunday, Lewis Hamilton won the F1 championship. He is the first black F1 champion, and also the youngest ever. Many times, F1 champions have been decided in the last race; this time, the champion was decided during the last lap of the last race; in fact it was decided during the last few corners of the race! It was really quite a thing to watch. The Ferrari team were celebrating their victory, thinking that Massa had won the race and the championship, and didn't realize that Hamilton managed to get pass Glock (and thus gaining the extra point needed to be crowned the world champion). I think almost everyone who was watching was shocked with the final results. Although Glock has said that the reason Hamilton managed to pass him and the reason he(Glock) was 20 seconds slower during the last lap was because he was using dry tires and the rain was heavier during the last lap, many, including me, find it hard to believe. Maybe it's just because we all love a little controversy every now and then. :P
(click here to know more about the last lap)

Maybe not many people were aware about the F1 race, but there is another race that everyone all over the world are keeping their eyes on - the US presidential race. Today, just a couple of hours ago, the American people elected their first ever black president - Barack Obama.

I don't know what others think, but I think that it is a wonderful thing that his skin colour didn't really matter and he won the elections. I don't know what his campaign was all about and I don't know anything about him (not that interested in politics). However, I am glad he won, because in a way, for me, it showed that people really have been able to get over the colour-barrier.

Hooray for Hamilton and Obama. You guys made it.

A Loooooong Wait

Yesterday morning, my Dad had very bad abdominal pain and got himself checked up in a nearby clinic. The doctor who checked him suspected that it was appendicitis and told my Dad to go to the hospital.

My Dad and I were in the hospital A&E (accident and emergency) department by 11am. When my Dad showed the referral letter (from the doctor in the clinic) to the people incharge, they asked him about his symptoms. Upon hearing that he did not have any vomiting, they decided that it wasn't appendicitis and told him to wait in the green zone. My Dad was in obvious pain and couldn't even stand up straight, and yet we had to wait for other healthy looking people who, in my opinion should have gone to the outpatient department instead, to be checked up.

After some time, it was my Dad's turn. A medical assistant asked about the symptoms, then suspected that it was appendicitis (duh!) and told us to wait some more. We waited and waited for about an hour before my Dad was seen by a doctor. They said yes, it is appendicitis..took a blood sample and told that he has to be admitted. We waited once again, this time, to be admitted.

My Mum and brother arrived at the hospital at about 2.30pm. My brother and I then decided to find out about other private hospitals around Seremban. We first approached Columbia Hospital, but then they said that they didn't have any available beds. Then, we asked KPJ Hospital, and once again, the same reply - no beds. Since we couldn't think of any other choices, we waited and managed to get our Dad admitted at about 4pm.

We were told that there are many cases and that my Dad would be operated on by evening or night. Evening passed by and it was already night. My Dad was still in pain. They said that he should fast for the surgery and he cannot even have anything to drink. The last meal my Dad had was at 6am. The doctors suspected that it was perforated appendicitis, but then, since there were a few accident cases, we had to wait.

By 9pm, we decided that it was too much. There was still no news as to when the surgery would be. Dad was in pain. We finally called an Aunt who has lived in Seremban for a long, long time. She called Columbia Hospital and managed to get a bed for my Dad there. We immediately discharged my Dad and took him there.

The doctor who signed my Dad's discharge papers told that there was only 1 OT (operation theater) and they had many cases. If my Dad were to wait, his surgery would probably be at about 3am. MAYBE. Even the doctor said that it would be better to take him elsewhere. He even said 'KL is not that far away also'.

9.45pm - we arrived in Columbia Hospital.
11pm - Dad was taken into the OT.
1am - Dad was already in the ward, recovering.

My paternal grandma has been staying with us for a few days now.
Her words of advice, " if any of you are sick, don't waste your time in government hospitals."

I do get it. Government Hospitals are busy. They see thousands of patients each day and they are short staffed. However, I would have appreciated it if they had told us earlier that the surgery would only be in the early morning instead of telling us 'wait, you will have the surgery soon'.

I know that they see many emergency cases, but from what I studied, acute appendicitis is also and emergency. And if they suspected a perforated appendicitis, then it is even more urgent. Why wait so long?

I am sure many of you would have many stories about government hospitals.
Government hospitals are not horrible. I always admire the fact that they give out free medicines (I was initially shocked to know this 'cos medicines are expensive) and almost free treatment. Yes, private hospitals can offer fast (and expensive) treatment, but then once the situation worsens, they will handover the patient to the government hospital, and the government hospital never says no. This contributes to the higher mortality rate in government hospitals.

However, I think Malaysian hospitals need to be better equipped. 1 OT for almost the whole of Negeri Sembilan? A CT scan appoinment takes 1 month. An X-ray appoinment takes 2 weeks. Once, I had to do a CT scan in Russia - I could do it immediately. And yet, my friends and I complain that Russia is not equipped enough.

I go for my ENT check up and treatment in Seremban Hospital and am going to continue doing so because I think the doctors there are really good (and also because I get free medicine). However, I think that my grandma's advice should be taken into account when the illness is a little more serious.

For the record - I HATE waiting!