The visit to Cairo was planned in a haphazard way. Malaysia Airlines has stopped this line, so i had to choose Egypt Air or Emirates or pay so much more if i transit somewhere en-route if i fly the national carrier.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
23rd Malaysia-Singapore Ophthalmology Congress
Organized by the Ophthalmological Scociety of Malaysian Medical Association and its Singapore counterpart. this used to be a 2-yearly event, however it has not been organized for the past 3 years. too many conferences! this time it was organized at the 5-star Sutera Harbour Resort. very posh! Thank you Alcon..
as of all ophthalmology meetings and conferences, it was a time to renew friendships and getting on with updates with what goes on with each other's lives. i somtimes think that we grab the opportunity to attend these meetings to do what we always like to do on other people's money. there was that banquet dinner and shopping at the Filipino market, the sea food restaurants, all the terubuk ikan masin and udang kering which must be filling the baggage, no wonder the plane smells really fishy!
Islands of the Argosaronic Gulf
we embarked from port of Piraeus early in the morning in the hope to get the best seats on board. i was anxious about getting seasick although i was assured that it was a big cruise ship, unlikely i would get inflicted. i still did took some anti-emetics anyway. so did the rest of us! we sure didnt want to embarrass ourself vomitting out onto the Aegian sea!no wonder amidst the loudy guests and the entertainment, our group were dozing off!
The islands we were visiting included Poros, Hydra and Aegina which are scattered on the Argosaronic gulf. the ship the Giorgios, was a very big cruise ship (a la Love Boat), with a bar, live band, music, meals and champagne provided on board. It was full house, there were a mix group of jolly brits, japanese and koreans, also some latinos. good mixture of culture.
fortunately the sea was very calm. the poros island had many sidewalk cafes. the houses as in Athens, were built dotting the hills. the roads were entertwining. we stayed for 40 minutes only.
the second island was Hydra. it was beautiful. there were a lot of donkeys, which are the transportation to the hilly residentials. there were more shops than in Poros. we stayed about 1 hour on this island. leaving Hydra we saw some firehouse and cannons put facing towards the sea, must be for the people's protection back in old days.
boarding the Giorgios, we were served our lunch. we were initially almost being served pork (which was the next table's order). after the confusion (Malezian, Malezian) the waitress was immediately corrected, we were served our smoked salmon, salad and fruit juice.
the last island was Aegina, which was equally beautiful. we stopped for about 2 hours. there were losts of shops and more activities here. the main attraction was of course, the octopus! we ate grilled octopus, tempura prawns, grilled cockles with lemon juice splashed on it which makes it so palatable.
Going back to the jetty on Piraeus, we were fast asleep on the coach, it was a very tiring day indeed with lots of sceneries and peoples faces swimming in your vision.
The islands we were visiting included Poros, Hydra and Aegina which are scattered on the Argosaronic gulf. the ship the Giorgios, was a very big cruise ship (a la Love Boat), with a bar, live band, music, meals and champagne provided on board. It was full house, there were a mix group of jolly brits, japanese and koreans, also some latinos. good mixture of culture.
fortunately the sea was very calm. the poros island had many sidewalk cafes. the houses as in Athens, were built dotting the hills. the roads were entertwining. we stayed for 40 minutes only.
the second island was Hydra. it was beautiful. there were a lot of donkeys, which are the transportation to the hilly residentials. there were more shops than in Poros. we stayed about 1 hour on this island. leaving Hydra we saw some firehouse and cannons put facing towards the sea, must be for the people's protection back in old days.
boarding the Giorgios, we were served our lunch. we were initially almost being served pork (which was the next table's order). after the confusion (Malezian, Malezian) the waitress was immediately corrected, we were served our smoked salmon, salad and fruit juice.
the last island was Aegina, which was equally beautiful. we stopped for about 2 hours. there were losts of shops and more activities here. the main attraction was of course, the octopus! we ate grilled octopus, tempura prawns, grilled cockles with lemon juice splashed on it which makes it so palatable.
Going back to the jetty on Piraeus, we were fast asleep on the coach, it was a very tiring day indeed with lots of sceneries and peoples faces swimming in your vision.
Athens
International Glaucoma Congress
organized in Athens 31 March - 3 April 2007
We visited the Acropolis which is atourist's must-see spot. stood in front of me was real life Parthenon - unfortunately some renovation works were still going on, Karyatides (the 6 maidens), temple of Zeus, etc. we also took pictures in front of the governor's mansion. we went to Plaka, bought souvenirs also took advantage of eating at the sidewalk cafes which are hallmarks of european cities. not forgetting dropped by the olympic stadium. as many stadiums (also some monuments on Acropolis), it's built is of a semi-circle. Thanks for a good time Steph!
pot.
Asian ARVO (Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology)
2nd Asia ARVO was organized in Singapore from 1 March - 4 March 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Case Series on Double Jeopardy
Case 1
I knew AA as my clinical specialist when i did my masters degree at Hospital K. he had a very presentable and sunny disposition. always soft spoken, smiling a lot and so easy to get on with. he was actually planning to set up his own medical centre thus his job with the Ministry of Health was already seeing the end of his services. at the same time i also knew of his wife Y, who is petite, very soft spoken, pious although a bit reserved compared to us, all bubbly girls. they had 4 children then. i imagined this marriage was solid as rock, looking at AA's and Y's personalities and financial independence. what could go wrong? most time i'd envy this couple with their serenity and their institution of marriage. i've heard rumours that at one time AA had been involved with The Other Woman while ding his masters dgree at a university in KL but somehow the affair was put a stop.
the latest news of AA that i heard, he is more prosperous, financially secure with 2 branch clinics (one building of his own), driving the latest Mercedes-Benz. also married The Other Woman (from now on will be referred as TOW), who happens to be his clinic assistant! He's still married to Y, though.
Case 2
This is a very well suited couple as far as the view from an external observer would allow (that's me). N and R are both medical specialists. N is astaff of a university while R is practising at a private centre. both are high earning jobs and has high seniority in their chosen fields. they have one son, 12 years old. i must say that as far as being liberal, modern and professional, N is without doubt your perfect candidate. she is also very pretty and kind.
2 years ago, R remarried without N's consent (yes, that can still happen here), which was when N was abroad. he married an air stewardess, rumoured to be a drinker and smoker. N was angry, while on an umrah, R agreed to divorce TOW on N's insistence. But, you think R did that? No way, they are still married and a baby on the way...
Case 3
He is a senior medical specialist, doing a further degree Down Under. he met Z, also a lecturer doing further degree at the kangaroo country. Too much frolicking or what? He married her last month! His wife, a staff nurse at our place had to agree to him moving to KL (to be with TOW). They have a 13 year old son.
Case 4
They met in medical school, fell in love and wanted to get married. but she is Malay, the boy is Indian-Muslim. as expected this met with extreme opposition from boy's family. anyway, there was no way you can stop a budding, young love, they got married. for the first 4 years she had to stop thinking about babies which she desperately wanted, fearing the wrath coming from husband's family. but boy's family really pressured him, wanted him to marry an Indian girl from Motherland, a relative, which would be the perfect match for their doctor son. he told her of this forced arranged marriage, then he divorced her. girl was down with depression, low self-esteem, came back to and further study for a masters degree. after some time, they rekindled their love affair which did not ebb away in spite of separation and his marriage to TOW, they remarried. now girl is having her 3rd child, she also happens to know TOW already has 3 children with her husband!
Case 5
she married him and discovered she was TOW! he was already married his first wife but the marriage was not registered. he neglected his responsibility , he was also quick with his hands. she couldnt except the deceit and the kind of life, she wanted out. he divorced his first wife, but rumour has it that he is having a relationship with a second TOW! now she's fighthing for her rights as a woman, mother and wife in the syariah courts. Good luck!
Amazing stories about men and the way they look at their role in a marriage. cant they cherish the woman they marry? cant they stay in love with the woman they promised to love and care? cant they be content with what they have?
I knew AA as my clinical specialist when i did my masters degree at Hospital K. he had a very presentable and sunny disposition. always soft spoken, smiling a lot and so easy to get on with. he was actually planning to set up his own medical centre thus his job with the Ministry of Health was already seeing the end of his services. at the same time i also knew of his wife Y, who is petite, very soft spoken, pious although a bit reserved compared to us, all bubbly girls. they had 4 children then. i imagined this marriage was solid as rock, looking at AA's and Y's personalities and financial independence. what could go wrong? most time i'd envy this couple with their serenity and their institution of marriage. i've heard rumours that at one time AA had been involved with The Other Woman while ding his masters dgree at a university in KL but somehow the affair was put a stop.
the latest news of AA that i heard, he is more prosperous, financially secure with 2 branch clinics (one building of his own), driving the latest Mercedes-Benz. also married The Other Woman (from now on will be referred as TOW), who happens to be his clinic assistant! He's still married to Y, though.
Case 2
This is a very well suited couple as far as the view from an external observer would allow (that's me). N and R are both medical specialists. N is astaff of a university while R is practising at a private centre. both are high earning jobs and has high seniority in their chosen fields. they have one son, 12 years old. i must say that as far as being liberal, modern and professional, N is without doubt your perfect candidate. she is also very pretty and kind.
2 years ago, R remarried without N's consent (yes, that can still happen here), which was when N was abroad. he married an air stewardess, rumoured to be a drinker and smoker. N was angry, while on an umrah, R agreed to divorce TOW on N's insistence. But, you think R did that? No way, they are still married and a baby on the way...
Case 3
He is a senior medical specialist, doing a further degree Down Under. he met Z, also a lecturer doing further degree at the kangaroo country. Too much frolicking or what? He married her last month! His wife, a staff nurse at our place had to agree to him moving to KL (to be with TOW). They have a 13 year old son.
Case 4
They met in medical school, fell in love and wanted to get married. but she is Malay, the boy is Indian-Muslim. as expected this met with extreme opposition from boy's family. anyway, there was no way you can stop a budding, young love, they got married. for the first 4 years she had to stop thinking about babies which she desperately wanted, fearing the wrath coming from husband's family. but boy's family really pressured him, wanted him to marry an Indian girl from Motherland, a relative, which would be the perfect match for their doctor son. he told her of this forced arranged marriage, then he divorced her. girl was down with depression, low self-esteem, came back to and further study for a masters degree. after some time, they rekindled their love affair which did not ebb away in spite of separation and his marriage to TOW, they remarried. now girl is having her 3rd child, she also happens to know TOW already has 3 children with her husband!
Case 5
she married him and discovered she was TOW! he was already married his first wife but the marriage was not registered. he neglected his responsibility , he was also quick with his hands. she couldnt except the deceit and the kind of life, she wanted out. he divorced his first wife, but rumour has it that he is having a relationship with a second TOW! now she's fighthing for her rights as a woman, mother and wife in the syariah courts. Good luck!
Amazing stories about men and the way they look at their role in a marriage. cant they cherish the woman they marry? cant they stay in love with the woman they promised to love and care? cant they be content with what they have?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Merdeka!
i feel compelled to write my piece on independence since this year marks the 50th year of our country's Independence from colonization. i've always felt that 'merdeka' means to have one's choice. although we're far from the permissive society like the west, women have taken a great share of accountability, respectability and responsibility in this country. it's all back to having been able to make your own choices in life.
on a personal note, i've been very free to make my own choices in marriage and career as i see them coming. i've been labelled stubborn and (may be) stupid whenever my choices were far away from the expectations of my family. i've been accused of selfishness, broke my parents' heart without a by-your-leave, caused a dent in siblingship, but i chose them anyway. i was not afraid of failure or losing. i just put my feet down and jammed on the accelerator, forth forward. it may be due to the impressional age and the environment which played a large part in my decisions.
i agree that i've mad countless mistakes, some have cost me wasted years, money, time, emotions but also there were some gratifying moments. my children, for instance are examples to show how my choice was blessed. the silver lining in the horizon was of course my miserable marriages, my emotional instability and my inarguably need to please and find reassurance. the latter could derive from the years away from my family when i had full residential schooling where the rule of thumb was you had to strive to be the best, well liked and most popular to gain attention.
while slipping from my teenage years to adolescent to a mature 20's and 30's years, my choices in life have been modified by previous experiences. i may not be that aggressive or so firm in my decisions anymore. i think it was high time to regain parental and familial blessing, less self-centred, think of my children more. therein lies a big dilemma in which i have to juggle in my career and future at the same time. some of life's choices at the moment are truly challenging to my noble intentions. i believe i have met my partner in life, which needs a lot of work to convince my family of my choice. i have to consider his presence in my planned future, or may be because of him i'm planning a future? i have to make decisions, i have to snap out of this melancholic rut and contemplate some fast decisions. i haven't been able to grasp back my usual self-assured and confident nature....
Choices, that's what being independent means!
on a personal note, i've been very free to make my own choices in marriage and career as i see them coming. i've been labelled stubborn and (may be) stupid whenever my choices were far away from the expectations of my family. i've been accused of selfishness, broke my parents' heart without a by-your-leave, caused a dent in siblingship, but i chose them anyway. i was not afraid of failure or losing. i just put my feet down and jammed on the accelerator, forth forward. it may be due to the impressional age and the environment which played a large part in my decisions.
i agree that i've mad countless mistakes, some have cost me wasted years, money, time, emotions but also there were some gratifying moments. my children, for instance are examples to show how my choice was blessed. the silver lining in the horizon was of course my miserable marriages, my emotional instability and my inarguably need to please and find reassurance. the latter could derive from the years away from my family when i had full residential schooling where the rule of thumb was you had to strive to be the best, well liked and most popular to gain attention.
while slipping from my teenage years to adolescent to a mature 20's and 30's years, my choices in life have been modified by previous experiences. i may not be that aggressive or so firm in my decisions anymore. i think it was high time to regain parental and familial blessing, less self-centred, think of my children more. therein lies a big dilemma in which i have to juggle in my career and future at the same time. some of life's choices at the moment are truly challenging to my noble intentions. i believe i have met my partner in life, which needs a lot of work to convince my family of my choice. i have to consider his presence in my planned future, or may be because of him i'm planning a future? i have to make decisions, i have to snap out of this melancholic rut and contemplate some fast decisions. i haven't been able to grasp back my usual self-assured and confident nature....
Choices, that's what being independent means!
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