It is still an Issue

My good friend, Elegance Chong, was sweet enough to spend my last Saturday in Ipoh with me. First by going along with my craving for curry mee near the MGS roundabout. We waited for a good half hour only to find out that the kitchen didn’t get our orders. We have the day to spare, so it was ok. Furthermore, chatting with a good friend is almost effortless.

Then we head off to Ipoh Parade.
‘Something’s happening there. Something you might like.’ Elegance is usually abreast with what is going on here and there.

‘Something I like?’

‘Yeah, One FM is having a road show and they are giving away money.’

‘So do I like road shows? Or do I like money give aways?’

Indeed, the local radio station, One FM people were on stage and they managed to attract crowds even at merely 10.30am. We joined the crowd out of curiosity. In conjunction with Streamyx, they are having a Shuffle Dance competition. We had little idea what shuffling is, until the first team came up and wowed the crowd. Wow- I mean I saw it before on TV, but never live on stage. Soon after a few teams’ of observation, I concluded that most of these shufflers are kicking around with their heads looking at their feet. Shufflers don’t look up and make eye contacts with crowds? Another observation is that if a shuffler includes his hands in the dance, he looks better. I do realize that after a few teams went to the stage, the stage started to lose my attention. With all credits due, the kids are still not quite there.

O yeah, the dancers are kids. Not those bootylicious men but school boys merely reaching their puberty.

‘I didn’t realize there’s such a culture here in Malaysia. That’s nice, at least these boys keep their hands busy, and are not doing something else that brings more harm than good to the nation.’

The MC announced the next contestant, a solo shuffler named Syazana.
A girl? wowee!

Immediately as she took the stage, across the crowd, distinctive boos and unenthusiastic claps filled the arena. Her face fell. Disheartened. The discouraging sound came from the boys of fellow contesting teams. Is it that hard to accept a lone female shuffling in an all-boys contest?

The music started and she began to dance. Not bad, actually! She included her arms too. I would say she is as good as the other regular boys shufflers. But, no one dares to clap or cheer her on. Her face shows the half-defeated, half-determined expression. It was sending me the message ‘I don’t care if you don’t like me, I don’t care if I lose. But I’m going to show you that I can shuffle too.’

To add drama to the arena, a few teams of the contesting boys gang up together and began shuffling off-stage, in the middle of the arena. Obviously, they are crashing her show. Kids (boys) who thought that it was funny gathered around the attention snatchers and cheered them like a celebrated street dancers, although their skills are pretty much shitty.

That is so rude.
Or is it just me?

Are they boys who are at the stage of ‘I hate girls, but secretly find them interesting’? Or the issue of gender inequality is still an ongoing debate?

Anyway, when Syazana’s ended her performance, I gave her the ovation I think she deserves. Then, Elegance and I left the mall.

Where is the END?

I just nabbed my brother’s shiny new, albeit, second hand Toyota Altis 2 weeks ago. In exchange for my used-to-be shiny and bright red Gen-2. Ryan is chambering in one of the law firms in Kuala Lumpur.
Living in KL, transportation is an issue. Then being a lawyer, impression and presentation is another issue. Even tho he can barely survive with the pay fresh graduated lawyers get. Aw, come on. Such a pretty car, let the doctor use it! To my surprise, Ryan OK-ed without laying down any terms and conditions. Hm…

So the drivers, which happened to be my parents, sent the Altis to Ipoh. And I waved goodbye to my dusty but trustworthy Gen-2, scratched and dented in a few spots. This Reddie had been a great companion since my university days, traveling a lot of miles not only to my own convenience, but also as a blessing to many.

Altis. W R6802.
Stooping down to look closer, it was noticeable another letter used to wedge between the W and the R. Where is the N?
Ah, nevermind. I’ll fix it when I get into trouble. That was 2 weeks ago.

And trouble came yesterday. Malaysian cop trouble.

Ernest and I dropped another friend back around close to midnight, when we met a road block.
‘Uh-oh, a road block. I don’t have my ID with me.’ Ernest said.

‘Chill. They seldom check for passengers’ ID. More likely they wanted to see my driving license, which is fine.’ I slowed down and waited in line.
There was only one car before me. I noticed the lady cop indicated to the driver to wind down the window and show his license. Knowing Ernest not having his ID, I kept my eyes peeled, assessing the surroundings. All in all, only 3 officers are seen. One lady is checking the car in front, one man officer standing at ease on the left, and another lady officer seated at a nearby set-up table. This shouldn’t be a problem, I thought.

Then I saw the man, who is supposed to stand there and observe, started to walk towards me. Alright, he must have caught something not right.
‘Ernest, he noticed the missing letter on my number plate.’ Come.

‘License please.’ Officer said. I cooperated.

‘Do you know that a letter is missing from the number plate?’
In split second, I decided to act.
‘Oh? Oh ya ya! I know, I know…’ Like the whole thing just dawn on me. Keep smiling, be friendly. That’s what you do when Malaysian cops found fault in you.

‘So you know?’ Officer probed. ‘Bila mahu buat? When do you want to fix it?’
‘Tomorrow!’ I answered as if the agenda to fix the plate had been in my diary for weeks. I promised, like a student promises a teacher to hand in late homework. ‘Yes, I am aware of it. Sorry, I just got the car from my brother.’ Another thing to do to avoid summon, and worse, bribery, when Malaysian cops found fault in you is to admit that you are wrong and vowed to be law-abiding citizens.

‘OK, fix it tomorrow,’ said officer, and I was off the hook.

Today after work, I spent 3 minutes at a car shop and one buck to get a new N on the car plate. It’s ironic why people delay simple solutions as such for a simple problem. I guess it isn’t a problem until it brings trouble to you.

FYDOs = Nomads

FYDOs are like nomads. It’s another new month, which means another new clinic. This time with Dr Indra at Periodontal specialist clinic. Her reputation surpasses her presence. Friends been telling me of a nice boss and a very hardworking sister nurse. So hardworking that she literally grabs patients before I hardly even put on the treatment gown. I guess when it come to periodontics, none of us mind an extra hand.

So I had a break when the nurses next door asked me to have a look at their patient.
‘Bengkak besar. Visible from the face.’

‘It’s OK, go and quickly come back.’ Dr Indra reassured.

Indeed, I saw a lady with a bad tooth leading to facial swelling. Not wanting to use too much time in another clinic when my own boss is waiting for me next door, I referred the lady to Oral Surgery Department, just to KIV incision and drainage.

For an hour or two, I was questioning my decision. Should I just cover her with antibiotics and allow the clinic to review her? The size of the swelling is just about borderline for referral. Things could really get worse. Or it could really improve with the antibiotics prescription.

Then, the next door nurse came back.
‘Dr Soo, there’s a phone call for you. It’s Dr R from Oral Surgery Department.’

O gosh…. She must be calling regarding the swelling case. Aw, it’s like asking the department of great chefs to boil an egg.

‘Ee Yellow, Dr R.’ Let me cheer first.

‘Alexis, do you want to work in Oral Surgery? Hash and Vimahl are leaving, suddenly there are 2 vacancies here in Hospital Ipoh. Surprisingly, the boss mentioned your name. How come he knows that you are interested? The clinic need officers la, and not a lot of people interested to come. Why don’t you come and talk to him today?’
There is a tinge of desperation in Dr R’s voice.

When I hung up the phone, everything was surreal.
Did hospital just called me and asked me to work there? Didn’t it?
I started to send out text messages asking my friends and family to pray for the interview later. Then I stepped back inside with Dr Indra, unable to really concentrate.

My most passionate subject, the Oral Surgery, just had an open door? I knew Hash, my former mentor, is leaving but I didn’t apply for his place. I didn’t do nothing. I am not a go-getter. Until Dr R called and said ‘Come and get it.’ With her desperation, I am sure she is calling a few others too.

Now what? Slim River or Hospital Ipoh? It’s a matter of a few weeks later. Such urgent uncertainties. I will do my part, meet all the bosses, and we’ll see if this is God’s will.
Rev 3:8
‘… The door that I open, no man can shut….’

Happy First Anniversary

It felt like only yesterday, when we innocently and excitedly dressed our smartest to report for duty. From then on, we are civil servants with shiny new badges. There was a sense of humility and consciousness when people called me ‘Dr. Soo.’  Who Dr., me? Ah yes, yes, that’s me, I forgot. Not used to it. You know what I mean.

Today, our juniors are reporting for duty.
Which means, it is already one year ripe. Our first anniversary in the workforce. What have we become?

We still live in a simple house with minimal furniture, like students.
But grown, have we?
We make our own bucks, and we learn to spend it.
We learn to treat ourselves better, eat better food and buy better clothes.
We learn to treat our family better, it’s time to give back. Siblings’ college and pocket money, parents’ insurance and health bills.
And friends? Upon convocation, as expected, university comrades flew in different directions like a grand firework. Some got married, some making big bucks, some in search of life’s direction, some surrounded by old friends, some had to make new ones.

What about fun? Much reduced, I hate to admit. Still having it, but not as crazy as before anymore.
Responsibilities and leadership came in. We have to rise to the occasion. We talk to people everyday. We rebuked patients, if need be.

It’s only first year and so much had changed.
I’m too young to be aging.
Happy First Working Anniversary. Toast to many happy returns!~