Convocation

Pronunciation: "kän-v&-'kA-sh&n

Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin convocation-, convocatio, from convocare 1 a : an assembly of persons summoned b (1) : an assembly of bishops and representative clergy of the Church of England (2) : a consultative assembly of clergy and lay delegates from one part of an Episcopal diocese; also : a territorial division of an Episcopal diocese c : a ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university 2 : the act or process of convoking

History: The word convocation originally referred to gatherings of the clergy of Canterbury and York, but in 1577, Oxford University used it to describe the assembly of its graduates. Ever since, students around the world have been admitted to the order of scholars in a convocation ceremony.

Many of the rituals held at modern convocations and the symbolic significance of the regalia date from a time before OxfordÕs first convocation. The scarves or hoods students are wearing over their shoulders represent the hoods worn by the monks. They were decorated with colours and symbols identifying what the wearer studied--medicine, law, theology or the liberal arts.

As for me, I think convocation ceremony is a waste of time... sit there for 5 hours (cannot go to the loo, cannot talk with your friends, cannot do anything) listening to some old fart talking and waiting for your turn to go up the stage and receive the empty 'scroll'. The person handing it may be some 'idiot' who does not know a thing about you and what you do and is there because he is the 'Orang Kaya blah..blah..blah'.

And then, come out everyone taking photos in the idiotic looking gown and hood (I'd wear that if I was going to act in the next episode of Harry Potter)... overpriced flowers here and there... huge (overpriced again) teddy bears given as gifts to the 'matured' adults.... and so on and so on...

My friend Nora (who is really soapy about all this things and who is so 'prim and proper') was telling me that I should be proud to go up and receive the 'scroll'.. Why do I need to be proud in front of other people???? I am proud that I am who I am, who I have become and what I will be in the future...I am proud of the values I hold dearly to my heart.. I do not have to go up and shout " look I made through my Masters Programme" to be proud. That is just being arrogant.

So this year, to commemorate being proud of myself....F@#% the convocation. I will be at work on Wednesday

p.s. I'd rather be diving

Am I really sick??

This is the varicella virus which I supposedly now having.....yup chicken pox. Who says that when you get it once you'll never get it again.... My first chicken pox infection was in November 2000 when I was a junior MO in the Paediatric ward in HKL. Contracted it when an infant was brought in with severe infection when I was oncall... no choice but to clerk, examine and treat. 10 days later I came down with severe headaches , fever and later the rashes.

This time around it is different. No prodrome symptoms - no fever, no headaches (not that I can remember). Woke up on Monday felt pain in my right flank - looked in the mirror and there it was few maculopapular lesions. Initially thought it was Zoster or shingles as there was none on the other side but decided not to risk it and called in sick. When to see the physician who was my classmate in UM but he wasn't convinced. Told me to take some Cloxacillin as he thinks it is a staphylococcal infection.... told me not to go to OT but should wash hands in between seeing patients in clinic.... No OT??? As a surgeon I think that is the bulk of my work.

At night I decided to check again my body.... whole trunk now affected. I then decide to self treat - T acyclovir 800mg 5 hourly for 7 days. Even if it is not varicella it looks viral and I don't know how infective it is.... called in sick again, decided to go see my GP friend in KL.

My rashes got worse and everyone who looked at it thinks it's chicken pox.

Today, I got appointment to see my good friend Joseph in HKL. If he thinks it is then MC for another 7 days.....arrgghhh... I going bonkers.... as I cannot go out nor work

Plus, looks like my trip to Tioman may be cancelled... Arrgghhhh...

Rescue Me - A Redang Experience

Got back from Redang earlier this morning...

The Rescue Diver course was difficult. I have to beef up and work on my stamina. I managed (barely) to finish all the modules. It was tough, especially the tired divers' tow and carrying the victim to land (well, I dragged my 76kg victim to land). After an hour's session of in water rescue breathing and diver's tow I almost gave up.... ahhhh... was thinking, can we continue another day. But Kaz the perfectionist would not let me go that easily... again!!! again!!! again!!! when I stumbled on the sequence etc...

The theory exams was ok.. more of common sense. But I got 5 wrong....there my commonsense became nonsense...hehehehe... but at least it is enough to pass.

So now I am a Rescue Diver..hahaha... hopefully no one would ever needs rescueing..

Why did I do it??? Good question, was thinking about that when I was suffering towing my 'victim'... Well, I dive a lot, with a lot of different people with different dive experiences. I shudder to think if the day comes when one of my 'buddies' may need my assistance during diving and I am not equipped with the knowledge to help them...

Another is, maybe I want to go further in this passion of mine... Master Scuba Diver or the other wing of professional dive industry... Still thinking and keeping my options open.

The most enjoyable experience for me this time is seeing NOT ONE but TWO seahorses... ahhh dream come through... During our last dive yesterday, Adrin aka Macha took us to Holysand.. ahhh because of the seahorses I deco'ed... Macha had to do 10 minutes of safety stop.. but I was grinning ear to ear...

Waiting for Macha's photos of the seahorse to post!

Alas my camera had problems so I did not take any underwater photos this time...

Rescue Me - A Redang Experience

Got back from Redang earlier this morning...

The Rescue Diver course was difficult. I have to beef up and work on my stamina. I managed (barely) to finish all the modules. It was tough, especially the tired divers' tow and carrying the victim to land (well, I dragged my 76kg victim to land). After an hour's session of in water rescue breathing and diver's tow I almost gave up.... ahhhh... was thinking, can we continue another day. But Kaz the perfectionist would not let me go that easily... again!!! again!!! again!!! when I stumbled on the sequence etc...

The theory exams was ok.. more of common sense. But I got 5 wrong....there my commonsense became nonsense...hehehehe... but at least it is enough to pass.

So now I am a Rescue Diver..hahaha... hopefully no one would ever needs rescueing..

Why did I do it??? Good question, was thinking about that when I was suffering towing my 'victim'... Well, I dive a lot, with a lot of different people with different dive experiences. I shudder to think if the day comes when one of my 'buddies' may need my assistance during diving and I am not equipped with the knowledge to help them...

Another is, maybe I want to go further in this passion of mine... Master Scuba Diver or the other wing of professional dive industry... Still thinking and keeping my options opened.

The most enjoyable experience for me this time is seeing NOT ONE but TWO seahorses... ahhh dream come through... During our last dive yesterday, Adrin aka Macha took us to Holysand.. ahhh because of the seahorses I deco'ed... Macha had to do 10 minutes of safety stop.. but I was grinning ear to ear...

Waiting for Macha's photos of the seahorse to post!

Alas my camera had problems so I did not take any underwater photos this time...

Off to Redang tonight.... Doing my Rescue Diver Course this time round... Haven't finished my knowledge reviews... kaz is going to be mad... heheheheeh....

It's already 9.30pm and I still haven't packed............

Bomoh Patah Part II

I am sick and tired of this Pahang people.... Bomoh.... bomoh...bomoh.... They believe so much in the spirit world... that is why Pahang most famous bomoh is Mona Fandey...

Why the sudden outburst??

Well, during clinic day today my MO showed an X-ray of the tibia of a 17 year old girl. Saw her 3 weeks back and she had comminuted fracture of the upper tibia.... luckily at that time it wasn't displaced... so treated with cast, alignment was perfect

Well, at home she took off the cast, went to the bomoh and today came crying as the leg is now bent.

Now have to plan for surgery.....MORE WORK FOR ME!!!!!!

Hmmmmm...... hate these idiotic morons

Palpitations

I felt it again today.... palpitations... for a brief moment while having dinner with my colleague Su. Asked her to feel my pulse... she said the volume was erratic but not tachycardic.... hmmmm.... Been having this bouts of 'palpitations' past one month.

Woke up several nights with intense awareness of my heart beats... I have no other symptoms and my heart rate then usually ranges from 80+ to 100 beats...Normally my heart rate is about 60-70bpm.

Take to my physician friend Joe, advised me to do an ECG and if all normal a Halter monitoring for 24hours. Ho also suggested few probable cause of it... some heart pathology (which may be benign or pathological),too much caffein (not a coffee nor Coke drinker)...thyroid problems (no other symptoms and my T3/T4 is normal)...or lastly too horny... I prefer the latter...hehehehe... but too bad no guys in speedo (nor in my bed) that was there to explain the symptoms.

Thinking of the ECG, perhaps tomorrow. I am a bit reluctant to do as I don't really want to know if there is anything wrong... Yeah, I am a doctor but aren't doctors the lousiest patients?

Me

Jumping Queue

Came back to work reluctantly yesterday. Was to be a busy day, OT (operating) day for us. Had 9 cases lined up... my colleague and boss went into OT early, I was left to do rounds. Ahhh still so sleepy then.

Anyway, about 11am some old classmate (from my UM undergrad days called)

classmate :" Hey lynn, xxx ere"
Me :" Hey, wassup?"
Classmate:" Want to ask you a favor..."
Me : " Yeah, what can I do?"
Classmate:" My friend's dad 'En So and so' was admitted to your ward with a hip fracture and you told him waiting time is 2 weeks. Can you hasten his surgery as a favor to me?"
Me :" Huh?"
:"I am sorry dear, I have 15 patients on traction if I want to hasten anyone's surgery I have to follow the order they came in to the hospital... No cannot help you there"


15 minutes later got a call from my MO that the patient wants AOR to go to UH as treatment there is faster.... yeah go ahead... worked in UH... same waiting time...whatever!

What pisses me off is my 'friend' having the cheek to ask me all this things. When I went for my dental checkup in a government hospital I took a number, waited 2 hours for my turn. Never have I asked the nurses can I be seen earlier as I am a doctor....NEVER!!!

It's not fair for others, and I cannot oblige!!!!

Perhentian in August

Went to Perhentian this weekend with three friends Demon, Trisha and Kurt. Enjoyed the dives as viz were excellent and there were almost no currents. Saw a lot of marine life too.

For more photos,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakawali/sets/72157601545989968/

Me, the cancerian woman

Saw Lily's blog on her astrological sign and what I presumed the love of her life. Anyway, I was wondering what is predicted of my lovelife in the astrological terms....This is what was written

Cancer: The Amorous Nature

YOU AND THE CANCER WOMAN

She may appear like the photograph of that dream girl most men carry around in a hidden locket of their minds. But lurking just below the surface of that shy, sweet image is a superbly sensual woman. There are secret emotional depths to her, and like the story of the Sleeping Beauty and her Prince it takes love to awaken her eroticism. Love unlocks the smoldering fire hidden by her diffident manner.

Don't expect her to be forward, however, because she doesn't know how to be. You must pick up the subtle clue, the unspoken invitation. She may be trying to get in touch with you while your emotional phone is off the hook. If you miss that first chance, you're probably out of luck. Her feelings are too vulnerable for her to risk another overture.

As with all the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), the quality of trust is very important to her in a relationship. The Cancer woman is very cautious about giving her heart away. The two things she needs more than anything else are love and security, and she offers undying loyalty to a man who makes her feel secure. She has eyes only for him, and she'll cling as tenaciously as if she had pincers instead of arms. A betrayal in love is devastating, and takes a long, long time for her to forgive. In truth, she never forgives—rationally, yes, perhaps, but emotionally, never.

On first meeting Cancer woman you will find that she can be flirtatious, although in true subtle Cancerian fashion her flirting is done in a quiet way. Hers is not a flamboyant personality, but rather one of gentleness, depth, and richness. She is not only romantic, she's convinced that love, love, love is the secret of life. She wants to discover the secret with the man of her dreams. This sounds old-fashioned, but that's part of her charm: she is old-fashioned. It's a special quality that makes men feel protective toward her.

A confirmed sentimentalist, she loves to collect mementos from the past and pore over them. She frames old photographs, keeps old letters, stays in touch with old friends. She is devoted to her mate and to her family.

Affectionate, romantic, feminine, sympathetic, imaginative, and sweetly seductive, this quintessential woman can make home a place that a man never wants to leave.

My diving history

Was looking at my logbooks today....(Packing for Perhentian)

Started diving 2nd February 2004 - OWD
AOWD - 19th December 2004

Year 2004 - 24 dives
Year 2005 -59 dives
Year 2006 - 48 dives
Year 2007 - so far 24 dives (season only started in May...after exams), reckon I have another 24 to go to equal 2006.... This weekend 5 dives, next weekend Rescue...dunno if get to dive, the weekend after Merdeka hopefully another 7 dives..... only twelve.....

Places I have been diving
Tioman - 3x
Perhentian - 5x
Redang - 4x
Lombok - 1x
Bali - 1x
Sipadan, Kapalai, Mabul - 4x
Mataking - 1x
Lang Tengah -1x
Jarak -2x
Payar - 1x
TAR park - 2x

More places haven't covered....

The world is spinning

Been under the weather lately. Nothing serious, but been having bouts of occasional dizziness and palpitation. Felt lightheaded again tonight while driving to the hospital to do rounds, decided not to take the stairs but the lift this time.

BP was 110/62 pulse 67. Hmmm..seems ok. Decided to take a full blood investigation FBC, FBS, FLP, serum uric acid, renal profile.... will know results tomorrow.

Hope I am ok for the weekend. Maybe it's diving that I need!

6 Days to go

Another 6 days before I can breathe compressed air.... ahhhhh...

Tak Apa Attitude

I am oncall again this weekend... ah... last night decided that I at least have to do something constructive today. Not just switch on the internet and watch ASTRO. And so, woke up at 7.30am, rolled in bed, drove to Mentakab to swim at the Bukit Bendera Resort. Swam for about 45 minutes, then drove to hospital and did rounds with the MOs and HOs.

By 11 I was free, hmmmm.... so I decided to walk around Taman Bandar, a lakeside recreational area in Temerloh town. Seen it everytime I pass the UMNO building..it's on the opposite side. Never expected a huge area.. However, as usual, the place is not well kept. Litter everywhere, there are adequate rubbish bins but they are under-utilised. I am so used to the cleanliness of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and I found this disturbing.

However, we must blame the visitors. Malaysians, although we claim we are going towards developed nation, do not have the mentality and attitude of a developed nation. People have the 'tak apa' attitude.... "buanglah sampah merata-rata...takpe... apa guna ada majlis perbandaran"... "tandas tak jirus, takpe...apa guna bayar 20 sen"... Aaarrrggghhhhh....

We have to teach and educate our fellow Malaysians on basic hygiene and cleanliness. Just because some other person left rubbish on the street doesn't mean everyone has to add on to the pile. It starts with ONE person, it might be a small gesture but it's a start.

Teach our young ones and hopefully they'll grow up with the right attitude. My dad used to scold us if we throw anything out of the car and at the end of a trip his car is usually messed up with the rubish us kids make. He would clean up after us but never complain. We were told that if we don't take care of the environment we have no one to blame except ourselves when our homes and towns become a dump pile. When we went for picnics, my parents would prepare rubbish bags and all of us had to clear our mess and take it back home to be disposed. And thus one would understand why I cringe when I see some parents encouraging their kids to litter.

Malay translation needed

Spent the last hour or two making leaflet on diabetic foot care for my patients. Had to translate the info I had into Malay.... That was difficult. I still don't have an idea what certain words are in Malay. Help anyone... these are terms related to the feet

Blister = ????
Corn = (not jagung lah)
Callosity = ????

Bali Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakawali/sets/72157601121028248/

Samsons - Kisah tak sempurna

aku memang tak berhati besar
untuk memahami
hatimu disana

aku memang tak berlapang dada
untuk menyadari
kau bukan milikku lagi


dengar dengarkan aku
aku akan bertahan sampai kapanpun
sampai kapanpun

wow.. wow...

maafkan aku
yang tak sempurna tuk dirimu
usailah sudah kisah yang tak sempurna
untuk kita kenang


andai aku dapat merelakan
setiap kepingan
butiran kenangan indah

andai aku sanggup menjalani
setiap detik
dan waktu mendatang

Uh duh..... What de.....

After almost 4 hours I am again irritated. This TP really gets on my nerves. For those who haven't read my previous blog TP stands for Timbalan Pengarah of my hospital.

At 2.45pm on a Friday afternoon.....krriinnnggggg.....
"Hello, Ms Lynn ya, Ms Lynn kat mana?"

I was thinking " what de heck, who are you to ask me where I am"

Me "Ini siapa?"

"Oh ini xxx PA Dr Sxxxx, Ms kena datang sekarang jugak untuk mesyuarat pakar di pejabat pengarah"

Me: "Uh..duh....Haaa? Saya tak dapat pun apa-apa surat jemputan".

"Oh...TP memang tak hantar surat, dia suruh datang sekarang juga"

Me: "Uh...tentang apa...?"

"Saya pun tak tau..."

Me : "Uh..ok"


My head was spinning..... what de f#$%.....? Got so pissed. Decided to put phone on call divert... Diverted to some 3D number in KL...hehehehehehe.........

Anyway, the stupid TP must have thought she can easily bully me into doin something. The bitch talked to me at about 10 am today, and did not have any courtesy to inform me of the meeting. And then asked her 'idiotic" assistant to call to 'order' me to come.... Hello.....

ORDER ME??? That's a silly mistake. I am in a sense still a rebellious teenager... I refuse to be ordered..... As I refused and sabotaged a few people when they order me around just because I am a girl....

That reminds me of Form 6 in Setapak High.

First week... Was put in the Form 6S3 ( mixed class of bio and double maths students). As a result, we had 28 boys compared to 7 girls. Class monitor selected, and first thing he did and said was.... "oh we have to decorate the class... Lynn... you have to get curtains for the class"...

Me: "Hey why me?"

Robert (the CM) :"Coz you are a girl and girls should keep the class clean and beautiful"

I decided not to argue but get even.

The following week, a class with majority guys had shocking pink curtains, pink notice boards, pink ribbons here and there, pink flowers....and so on..... I came early (at 6 am) to set-up all the pink stuff and waited for the boys to enter class at 7.30am... and my god, revenge is damn sweet. The boys faces were indescribable...... till today, 14 years down the line, I can still remember... and smile....

Special treatment....

I am upset.

Got a phone call from the hospital's Timbalan Pengarah asking me how much is the surgery for the KSN's brother surgery. Told her I had no idea, but shouldn't be a problem coz the family was agreeable and said they can afford paying for the implant. He has a neck of femur fracture and thus require a hemiarthroplasty.

But the TP was adamant, "oh, State Pengarah wants to know so.....". I got irritated, hate bereaucracy, hate ass-kissers, and hate stupid bitches!... When I told then to give my number to KSN or even the SP so I can explain what's going on she refuse...aiyaaa...I know la you're scared I become Datuk 1st....

Anyway, out of frustration I told her off..." what is this... they can afford the surgery and implant and I have spoken to the sons and daughther and they agreed... plus he is not a government servant or whatever, that entitles him free treatment and implants.."; "It's not fair when you ask me to differentiate patients on who is their relative or their posts...". And the TP was flustered and went on and on that it's not her wish...blah...blah...blah.....

"Ah...whatever!!!"

Isn't this situation crap? I am irritated because for the past 8 years, I have never differentiated my patients based on their status or wealth... I treat all like I will treat my family, my parents.... I think when I do that I would not make any poor judgment for my patients' care.

I hate it when people insists to be called Datuk, Tan Sri or whatever la. Most of the times it's not the person hinself... It's the Bureaucrats that make such a fuss.

When I was in HKL few years back, I used to look after this nice old man who had osteomyelitis of the foot. He was kept in the 1st Class nephrology ward (he had renal failure too) and I came daily to examine and dress his would. I would call him uncle and he's very happy when I come... Every time they hear me calling him Uncle, the ward sister (or matron) reprimanded me and told me to call him Dato' . As if I care, Uncle and I had a special bond, I was the one making sure his feet would survive. He later passed away but I met his wife after that and she actually thanked me and said Uncle had told her that I had genuine care for him and considered me like his own daughter.

I guess when you treat people like family you become family.