It's been a long time since I written anything on my editorial site. It's been nearly 6 months since I add any interesting and for people to know about my life events. 21st of June 2009 is a day that changed my life forever. It's a day that I will remember for a very very long time and the feeling is hard to describe in words. For 32 years I've known this lady. After 32 years, she decide to leave me to fend for myself and go on the longest journey all of us must take eventually. She left everything behind her and embark on a journey where most people can only speculate and only dream off.  Finally, no more pain or suffering of the body, a relief from the anguish and emotional pain.

24 hours before she left us, the sky was clear, a crescent moon with a star or planet was seen over the horizon in the early morning of the 20th of June. The very next morning, I received a phone call from my dad saying that she finally left us to fend for ourselves. That day felt like the light of day was taken from me and now I'm feeling the loss of a person whom I call mother/mummy! The fact of knowing someone is not coming back to speak to you directly or the phone forever changed the dynamics of my life.

The journey back to KL was one of the saddest moments for me. Accompanying me was my wife who constantly supported me through this ordeal of loosing a parent. Being motherless for 24 hours is hard to swallow. Staring out from the hotel window waiting for tuesday to come, watching the cars and life passing by, telling me that despite her gone, the world just continue evolving in a revolution kind of style. The rain in Gold Coast got heavier and heavier giving a sign that the earth cried for my mother's passing on. Finally the day to fly back to KL came and I was itching to get home to see my mother for one last time. It's just fate that I was unable to hold and kiss her one last time before she left for her long journey. It's a regret I have to bear for the rest of my life. Living in Australia, working and having a life here has it's price.

Landing in the airport, greeted by my little sister, I realised how important family is to us. Usually my old man will pick me up and I will get to call my mother the moment I land. This time, no more calls to my mother and my old man not there to receive me. For 12 years my old man always pick me up from the airport whenever I return from Australia. This journey was now considered different than any other journeys I've done before. I have to wait for another 2 more hours for my sister Min from UK as her flight arrival was not too far away. Driving back from the airport to the home, a reddish evening sun was seen. A different kind of feeling, hard to described in words. Finally reached home and noticed my KL/PJ home became a funeral palour. 6 months ago it was a wedding house and now it was solemn and dark, with my mother's picture in front of her coffin.

That's the last time I said to my mum that I'm back home!

It's been a long time since I wrote something on this website. I think maybe I ran out of idea or got too preoccupied with working. 6 more weeks and both of us will be in KL. Cheryl haven't seen my parents and my side of my family. It would be an interesting event. The wedding date is set for the 28th December. I cannot believe how fast the year 2008 has passed. It's already end of October and only 2 months left in the year.

For the past 2 months I've been working in the Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology ward. I particularly dislike mondays, most people do anyway because it's the start of the week after the weekend. I thought to myself, another day, another monday. Suddenly something interesting happened during mid-day, just before lunch. An angry looking lady brought a 4 year old child into the ward. The child vomited in the play area and the nurse asked the mother and her kids, including the one that vomited to go to the single room. The mother was not particularly happy with the nurse. It got worse after the nurse started cleaning up the mess and also wiping the toys for hygienic reasons but also preventing other children from getting any gastro bugs. The mother got very annoyed with the nurse and started accusing the nurse of treating her and her kids as outcasts. She yelled at the nurse and abused the nurse. I went over to find out what was the problem about and here I have an angry mother who lack judgement and understanding letting of her frustration towards the nurse. She can be considered a ferral person from her appearance and demeanor. She defended herself by saying that she's known to be a rude person and people have to put up with it. Being professional, doctors and nurses cannot yell back or scold back, as it would be considered as unprofessional conduct. So medical staffs have to put up with it or tolerate it. It's just part of the daily life of working in the hospital. Doctors occasionally get yell at but I think nurses bear the full brunt of the patient's family member's anger.
After some effort and negotiation with the angry mother, I managed to discharge her child and also the angry mother. Before she left the ward, out of nowhere, one of the parents of other sick kids in the ward confronted the angry mother and scolded her for being unreasonable. An argument broke out and it was as though a fight between two ladies would start. Luckily it didn't because if it does, me and the nurse have to call security or have to pull them apart. The other parents intention were good as to defend the nurse's actions but the way that parent expressed herself was no different than the other parent. The parent who scolded the ferral parent looked like a "Boggan". The typical "boggan-looking" type are people who are a little overweight and act rough. Well the other parent has those characteristics of a "boggan". Eventhough she was a "boggan-looking type" but I'm glad she stood up against the ferral mother by telling her off.

Interesting situation of a "boggan mum" vs "ferral mum".

Some people said that boggans and ferral are the same but from my observation, there are some differences.

For the past 2 weekends I've been driving from Gympie to Brisbane just for yum cha aka tim sum. Last saturday I brought Mehrdad and Pretty George to taste yum cha and try converting them to the Chinese tongue. I was quite surprised that they never used a chopstick before, so Cheryl and me had to teach them how to use the chopsticks. We brought them to the Buddhist temple at Underwood.
Today we went down again for Yum Cha and this time with Savio and his siblings, cousins and another friend. Savio has many friends and has a very social attitude. One thing his siblings and friends have something to say about dear old Savio, he's always smilling, happy, hence a happy-go-lucky guy.

  I haven't been coming writing on my editorials for quite some times. The reasons were due to lack of ideas on what to write and also forgotten to update interesting events or situations which occurred. It's like having a diary, updating on things or events on a regular basis. Well, I guess I'm writing again as I came up with some ideas to sum up the experience I had for the past 2 months. The last entry was in May so I will sum up June and July's events.

My 31st Birthday was not so eventful, just another year passing by. Additional 1 to my 30! Cheryl made my birthday eventful especially when she gave me a surprise with my favourite cake, yes the Black Forest cake and a Celine Dion CD.

In June, there were interesting events that happened out of the sudden. The arrival of Savio, my good old friend from Adelaide. This old friend suddenly appeared in the morning meetings in Gympie Hospital. A familiar face is a good thing and Savio did bring some adventure to my life in Gympie. After finishing the Emergency rotation, I went on to Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics. I'm currently the sole doctor with paediatrics experience in Gympie. I got to make friends with the Director of Paediatrics from Nambour Hospital, Dr. Tom Hurley. Reminded me of my old boss Dr.Smiley and Dr.Grieve whom I hold them in high regards. In some ways I'm looking for a new teacher to guide me in my quest to become a paediatrician. I've decided to make my new goal ie becoming a paediatrician. The GP training AGPT has lost my 3 referees report. This is the second time the AGPT caused a bungle in my applications for GP training. Initially they told me that I didn't have my permanent residency and lack experience. Now even with more experience, including paediatrics, they do not want me. I think maybe I'm not destined to become a GP. Terry told me that if you want a dead end job writing scripts and hearing chest sounds, become a GP.

At the end of June and early July, Cheryl decide to move up with me to Gympie Southside Hospital  Villa  because the land lady in Maroochydore decide to up the rent by 110%.  To me this old lady can be considered a mean and spiteful lady. Living  for 6 months in  her place and under her roof  was  an uncomfortable affair. After 11 years of living independently, living  or sharing with a landlord is not my idea of a good life. I think I'm glad to gain back my full independent living. No internet restriction, no phone restriction imposed and no need to pay any rental, can save up for a brand new house if I can reach the target, which brings me to another new goal, owning a house. I have two cars already and now it's time to own a house. Hopefully it will work out well as I finally paid Uncle Lee Kim all I have owed with interest as well.

A new phase of life has began and the new phase in the 30s  is married life and hopefully is a happily married life.

 

Finally get to say something again on my blog. It took me nearly a month to establish internet connection in my place in Gympie. Currently doing 12 days straight and working evenings plus weekends. The responsibility are more than when I was working in Adelaide. Am I missing Adelaide? Yes I do! Especially the food because Gympie has not many Asian or Chinese places to eat. The Chinese Restaurant here is crap but Brisbane is good. So looking forward to be in Maroochydore and Brisbane for meals.

It has been a week now in Queensland and realised as usual how time flew fast. I was in KL for Chinese New Year and now working in Gympie as a PHO and geting paid well. People in Gympie are fine and friendly, however food in Gympie is absolutely revolting.Have to go to Woolworth or Coles to get groceries to cook my own food. Well currently in Maroochydore in comfort, getting aquainted with Chery's "white parents". This coming week working the evening shift and then the weekend off. When I was in Lyell McEwin, it was hard to get the weekends off. Now the opportunity is there!

Currently I'm in KL celebrating Chinese New Year with family and Malaysian friends. After 11 years in Adelaide, it's time  for me to pack up and go to a new place in Australia. Spending about 11 days in KL and then transiting to Brisbane . New life in Sunshine Coast with Cheryl, that will be interesting. Leaving behind Adelaide seems just a short while ago. Cannot be nostalgic but looking forward in a new life in Queensland!

Oh my god! 8 working days left in the Lyell McEwin. Time flew as fast, just like a millenium gone by. Another Chinese New Year yet again coming up and hopefully many more good years to come. I guess I'm heading to the next stage of life and evolving from the 20's to the 30's! Scary but have to accept and move forth to the challenge.

The time is drawing to a close for me to leave Adelaide and start a new life in Queensland. Finished 2 ED nights and slept during the day without realising there was a summer rain going on.I think I'm going to miss my bat cave. Last thursday, there were plenty people viewing my rental place. Reminded me the time in 2006. Well guess I will have to enjoy the last few weeks in Adelaide.