Temptations & Ambitions

It had almost never occur to me to set foot on this blog again, a forsaken place for almost 4 years. A solace of sorts, to scatter a certain amount of pent up emotions here in a rather "literaturistic" manner. And there I was, yesterday, in an eatery which holds back a certain amount of memories of the past. The Pizza Hut restaurant in Wangsa Maju, where I used to had a short 3-month stint. Well, they used to say that the first love used to be the most memorable of all (apart from the current lovely wife, of course), then I'd say the first job would bring back fond memories, regardless if it used to haunt us in the past.

I'd enquired about the Area Manager for the restaurant, Mr Anthony. He used to a workaholic who frequents here and took pride in overseeing this restaurant, touted the 2nd largest Pizza Hut restaurant in Malaysia back then, in 2006. I was taken aback when I was told that he had just passed away last year from an episode of heart attack. At the age of 50 plus.

I remember him for his pride and loyalty to the restaurant. He was a hardworking chap who did not get through the usual means of education. Raised in a poor socioeconomic background, he spent time playing with his Chinese neighbors despite his differing ethnicity (He's an Indian), learning the various dialects as well as Malay and English from the compulsory education. However, he did not advance to higher education, probably from financial constraints and the higher grades required to further his studies. Back then, you need good grades or considerable amount of financial backup to further your studies. In the current modern era, almost everyone can finish with a piece of certificate, even as a medical graduate even if your grades are way beneath the core of the earth.

Anthony used to work as a Rider for Pizza Hut. A Rider would be the delivery guy on a motorcycle sending your pizza come sunshine or rain. He worked for many years before he was gradually promoted to be an assistant manager, subsequently a restaurant manager and area manager. BAck in 2006, he wasslightly more than 40 years old. That would have made him a veteran in the system for more than 20 years, knowing the inside out of the company. He cared for his subordinates and yet at times could be strict in disciplinary matters. Having climbed up the ranks really made him proud of what he had achieved. Given the opportunity, I think he would have served the same company until he retired. Talk about loyalty! I used to respect him as much as I was a meager waiter back then, and he appreciates good service  and work done by others.

I believe working there is an eye opener there, as I was starting conversation and greet customers as they come. Total strangers. Making a fool out of myself, cracking jokes, or being somber, each and every encounter is a fresh start anew. There is no failed conversation or interaction, just a different approach and experimentation in social interaction.

Of course, the subsequent work that I'd done in public health in State Health Dept (JKWPKL) was another level of honing my "survival" and communication skills.

Nevertheless, I am truly thankful for the job offer that was given to me in Pizza Hut. It was my first baby steps. I've always believe that no job experience will go wasted. Yes, I was in public health for 13 months, Klinik Kesihatan for another 13 months before joining the Pediatrics department, but I truly believe that I've gained invaluable perspective and insight, and a non-linear approach to certain matters at hand. What is another year or two? Perhaps, I might not even end up in the current field. Only time shall tell, and it all bows down to temptations, and ambitions.

9 months since my last post. I guess much had happened since then, I had so much to tell, and the more than the occasional in between drafts that got abandoned as I was too tired to complete. There's fairly enough typing done in the hospital's computerized documentation that I guess I would rather rest my fingers at home. So here's some random keynote that occurred in my life by then.

1. Completed my housemanship of 2 years duration. I had never doubted my competency to finish it in time, but I am always having reservation because of the luck factor. Some things can go really wrong even if you'd done everything right, and sometimes Lady Luck even favors some who were really incompetent HO to go through all postings smoothly. Luck can be really cruel. But nevertheless, I am now officially a Medical Officer with no qualms and with a proper licence to kill heal. 

2. My wife is pregnant (Gloating at my own ability). Our family planning enters phase two. We are trying hard to get twenty one. Or hardly trying. They say newlyweds tend to hit jackpot in the first year, but those who defer, may have a harder time instead. Maybe it is because of occupational hazard and probably the vast variety of entertainment in the world. Which is why the poor tend to have more babies, because they have no Facebook, Astro, cinema, etc.Or places up north where there are so lacking in entertainment that it's either religion or sex that I've always hear from those states. Oh, add in politics as it becomes a trio.

3. Went to Kuching for end of housemanship holiday. Planned for Paris but wifey couldn't find her passport. In that short amount of time, there is no time to replace one, so opt for a luxury trip in Kuching. Pullman hotel in Kuching had one of the best modern rooms which I would really give a 5-star ratings. Went for a Kayak trip for RM 200 per person and got its money's worth. 11km going down the river in 4 hours, enjoying the nature and cooling river, amidst the worries of sunburn, fatigue and the possibility of tropical infection of Leptospirosis or Meliodosis. The whole trip including the flight tickets costs Rm 2,000+, but still cheaper than the would have been Paris trip which would add another zero behind the figures. So, I'm still saving a hefty figure from NOT going to Paris. Lol!

4. I got my Xperia Tablet Z for my birthday, thanks to my parents and wifey. Splashproof, scratchproof, and ultra light for a 10 inch tablet. Loving it so much that I really tried bringing it to the bathtub while in Pullman hotel, Kuching, and also during my occasional showers while reading manga. Just to test out the function of the practically waterproof machine. For the time being, it is only used for my entertainment purpose and the occasional e-book reading with Aldiko Premium as well as Malaysian CPG's. Oh yeah, Candy Crush does looks magnificent on this too, although sometimes I prefer the my loyal Xperia S smartphone.

5. I am officially 27 years old 5 days ago. Can't imagine being any older by the day. Time practically flies and I'd no idea where the lost time goes to. Perhaps I am not suited for medical field, such that I had lost most of my youthfulness into the field where your time is taxed and the return is not really profitable in terms of satisfaction. And I am still contemplating between MRCP, MRCPCH or maybe even MRCGP. I thought that as one age, one becomes less ambitious and more focused, but here we are at the crossroad again. Taking 5 subjects in STPM wasn't all about the challenge, but it was just me being greedy trying to keep my all options open. But then, that small and meagre achievement is nothing compared to what comes later, so I'd taken another swipe at those 4.0 crybaby student who couldn't get into Medicine. Count yourself lucky then. A top student does not necessarily means he will excel in work, especially in the current Generation Y where helicopter parents play a major role and these kids lack the ambition to work and studying had almost become a specialized occupation without the need to become streetwise.

6. I am planning to transfer back to KL from Temerloh. Hopefully the transfer is approved so that we would be able to settle down back in the civilization. 2 years away and I'd noticed there are more cars on the road. Or perhaps I am just too used to little traffic in Temerloh. Either way, I am back from being a ferocious Tarzan beast in the jungle to the adorable Dave/Stuart Mr Nice Guy.

7. Hari Raya is around the corner. So, I'll be doing multiple oncalls by then. Before I sign off this, wishing my Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri by then and Selamat Berbuka Puasa for the time being. And no, I am not holding any Bak Kut Teh delicacy on my chopsticks, just some freshly made pancake I made for my wifey for breakfast for her maiden oncall today. Serious! I'm not lying! :P

Why? For all the reasons below:
1. Extra long battery life. Get all the phone calls you want from all the irritating nurses and your battery will not fail you. Forgot to charge for a day? It'll never fail you either. Some can last you for a week in idle mode.

2. The most durable phone. Why hate your smartphones for all the continuous non-stop incoming calls? Now, shift your anger to this cheap phone and throw it to the wall if you want to. Shattered as it is, assemble it again and it's good to go. Save your pocket from getting another smartphone, nay?
3. The cheapest phone. So cheap that even your Indonesian/Filipina maids are using color screen phones if not smartphones. So cheap that even if you left it somewhere, there is someone who would be bothered to return it to you. Honesty is worth more than this phone, that is.
4.You can type with your eyes closed. Why waste quality sleep when you can type and keep your eyes shut at the same time. Tactile buttons are always superior than touchscreen in this sense.
5. Got some tonsils to check? Forget your pen torches. They are bound to be missing after some colleagues/boss who forgot to return them to you. These phones, despite cheap, are packed with a mini torchlight for this purpose.

Ooh.. I just love the ol' nokia machine. In fact, when I asked for it, I told the salesgirl, "Give me the cheapest phone with the longest lasting battery". I'd omitted the part where "the fugliest" comes in. But well, who cares? I'm sure most of us would have some sweet nostalgic memories of the ol' Nokia basic phone. That, seriously, is the phone from "My Generasi." :P

There was a patient. A Chinese patient with language barrier, to be more precise. Surprisingly, some Chinese patients could not converse in Malay, as if they were extracted out of some ancient secluded civilization which had never been in any contact with other culture. So, this patient being unable to converse in Malay had a tough time conveying her message across. Especially when she could mainly converse in Hakka, one of the dialects, and not the typical Mandarin or Cantonese.

Her progress noted stated that her GCS (glasgow Coma Scale) was14/15. Or sometimes 13. But throughout my occasional review of this patient, she had always been a 15/15 to me. Maybe because I am a Hakka and my broken Hakka could reach out to her, and my legitimate understanding of her requests gave her a full 15/15.

Imagine my other colleagues who had trouble understanding what she wants because she could barely string a sentence of Malay! Fortunately, it wasn't classified as "incomprehensible sound" (which would make her an 11 out of 15).

In conclusion, language barrier can be a determinate factor of a patient with low GCS. A lesson to learn indeed.

Let's just face the fact that this has been a much debatable issue ever since gazillion years ago. I think I have even blogged about this issue somewhere in the past, but perhaps no one have heeded the message, because I am merely another citizen, one out of the 25 millions living in Malaysia. My stand is perhaps, there is no stand at all.


I was one of the few who had no choice but to pursue my studies in Science and Mathematics in Bahasa Malaysia. No further options were given, until when STPM was to be taught in English, despite the option of bilingual papers in the exams. Seriously, I have no problems learning in Bahasa Malaysia, because it has been that way since young. Be it "jisim", "isipadu", "pembolehubah dimalarkan" up to the scientific terms hardly Malay such as "centrifugasi", "kalium", "plumbum", it hardly makes any difference if you have the resources and support to enable you to learn them.

Those who fear the obstacle in language is merely fearing the unknown. Who are those who fear them? Adults. Because it sounds horrifying to learn a language foreign to them. Imagine someone telling you that you're supposed to learn a subject in French instead! That is the response that I'm talking about. In children, it is somewhat different. They do have an extremely flexible learning curve, if proper support and guidance are given. Start them young and I'm pretty sure that your child could even learn it in Greek, I assure you. Of course, how well they fare may be another issue, not of linguistic ability, but perhaps more on the cognitive and comprehensive ability.


My point is, if you do have a strong grip on the fundamentals in science and mathematics, it doesn't matter which language that you're learning in. Even so, mathematics do have universal signs and symbols after all, thus there is nothing to worry about. Those who worry, are those parents who are illiterate, or those who are semi-literate, because they blame their inability to master these as a result of language barrier, and not putting in on themselves for not trying hard enough, or other circumstances that prevented them from working harder. For those who are literate, it is just a matter of preference, but the politicization of this issue had made it a grave matter.


But of course, there are a few matters that needed to be ironed out if it should be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. As one who had gone through the system in Bahasa Malaysia, I do feel that I had deserved more rights to justify my suggestions rather than some politicians who had just undergone the arts stream instead, or even did not manage to make the cut at all.

1. Be consistent. If you want to teach it in BM, do it for a period of more than 10 years. If you want it in English, do it for equally as long. Well, the publishers who obtained the government contract would have gained the most out of this constant flip-flop (although I'm not sure if this could be the main intention of the change or not), but this would make it hard for the teaching staff. 5 years would just be the bare minimum requirement to train or retrain the staff in a language, and then a change again would just send back the teachers to retrain for another 5 years at the very least. The teaching competency had already been compromised all these while, so do expect a further dip from all these.
2. Get a Bahasa Malaysia committee catered for scientific terms in science and maths. Rest assured that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is not your best bet if you would like to advance BM forward in science. Many scientific words are still in English, and our friends in DBP could only Malaysianize the words at the very best, because they think there was no substitute. Even if there was, there was no one to oversee its implementation. For example, the spinal cord has its equivalent in BM, namely saraf tunjang, but what has been commonly used is spina korda or korda spina instead. And then some fanatics bragged on the beauty of science in BM from the word spina korda, when the truly proper and nice words came from the former. Hence, with a proper committee specializing in BM in science and maths, one could expect it to be able to promote better introductory of new BM terms and hopefully, be able to promote and encourage the use of BM terminologies. Hence, there would be no funky derivation of terminologies which makes no sense simply because it came from an English or Latin word.
3. Give more support to students from rural areas to learn science and mathematics. I know, most would blame the lack of proficiency in English as their inability to master these subjects. But let's face the fact, we are bound to learn English someday if you're going to pursue higher studies for science and maths.Of course, learning it in BM gives you a higher chance to enter local varsities because you can stomach all the facts in BM and vomit them all out again in exams, but that is all in academic sense. In actuality, you can even have medical students who could easily mistaken tendon vaginitis, an orthopedic diagnosis, with the inflammation of vagina! Of course, this is easily forgiveable, but given that particular student had more bouts of concrete thinking without the presence of abstract thinking, one would blame her mental ability rather than her linguistic ability. My point is, get more programmes running to reach these rural children instead of making it backward for everyone to the level of children in rural areas. If that is the case, you can even form special schools to cater for them, catering based on the needs of individual areas. The claim that BM is best for students in rural areas is the worst excuse if you would like to advance BM in science and maths. It's just merely declaring that you would intend to make everything go backwards and stupid so that everyone is equal. And then, in the eyes of the world, we would be seen as a bunch of cavemen, refusing to progress forward.

There are of course much more input, but I'll leave it at that to keep this short. With so much careful study, we know what is best for all. Of course, proclaimed studies with no figures merely make it an arbitrary fact or just a figure of speech. After all, all these commotion makes me even glad that I am a survivor of the education system. What are we without such obstacles? What does not kill me, makes me stronger.


Or perhaps, making me weaker for the next thing to kill me.