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I think it is a lil bit late for me to sum up all the major events which had taken place throughout the year 2009 since today is already 6th of January. Well, my final posting at Pediatrics Department is kinda busy tho’.

January:

The year begun when I attended my faculty’s annual dinner (Gosh! I’ve forgotten what’s the name of the club). Good food, nice dresses and entertaining performances. One thing to be proud of was our beloved Dean (of Faculty of Medicine) never fails to attend every dinner organized by my batch.

February:

Post-end of Year 4 exam. Rewarded self with lots of good food. That was the first time I went to Look Out Point at Hulu Langat and Tenji Japanese Buffet at Solaris Mont Kiara. I remembered I made myself the most expensive floats by mixing 3 scoops of Haagen-Dazs ice cream into my coke at Tenji. Hah!

Thereafter, I started my 2-week humanitarian elective posting at Medical Social Work Department. All I need to say is, medical social worker rocks! Their contribution in patient care is significant too.

March:

Holiday! Revisited Cameron Highlands and all thanks to Auntie Bee Hiong for the treat. Besides, both Chuong Hock and I went backpacking for 13 days in Thailand. We started from North Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Sai), traveling down to Ayutthaya, Bangkok and Pattaya. Faced some “panicking” moments in Bangkok but Chuong Hock, make it a secret of us two ya?

April:

Started my research work officially. Thankful that I had a team who worked with the same school of thoughts as mine. Things went on smoothly as planned although we faced some challenges in between. Definite appreciation is still dedicated to our beloved supervisor, Associate Professor Dr. Farihah Haji Suhaimi, who had shown us what true spirit of research is!

May:

A busy month. Finalizing the manuscript and our group was chosen to participate in oral presentation during the Scientific Meeting. Even though we did not win the grand prize, we were satisfied as in our supervisors’ eyes, we were already a winner! Thanks to Prof Farihah and Prof Faizah for the post-conference lunch at Grand Seasons Hotel too. To date, my research manuscript has been accepted by the International Medical Journal (IMJ) and it will be published by September this year. Yippie! That will be my first medical article.

Jun:

Started my final year medical student life officially with its first activity i.e. 3rd Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Camp at BTN Kuala Besut, Terengganu. I believe this is the longest bus journey I’d ever taken. Overall, the camp was a fun and informative (minusing the BTN part). At here, we formed our very first “Killer Gang”. Cool!

July:

July was a gathering month. Firstly was our “Killer Gang” grand reunion where it was a food and games night before starting our new posting! While another one was with my best buddies from secondary school. Especially Anwar, I had not met him for almost 3 years till this reunion was held.

August:

While August was an outing month. 2 major outings in a row i.e. to Sungai Gabai Waterfall with fellow CF members and the most heart pumping hiking at Bukit Tabur, Melawati KL. Definitely there will be no more TCA for me until I overcome my acrophobia. Fuh!

September:

The only holiday for final years fell in this month and it was the most anticipated one! I had booked flight tickets to fly me back home very early for this reason. Home sweet home! Upon coming back, I followed my godbrother to Pesta Tanglung UKM at Kajang (The first visit in my entire 5 years of studies in UKM). I got the chance to write a calligraphy painting at one of the exhibition counters. Well, my writing has deteriorate much. Lacking time to practice I believe. Sigh.

October:

The most historical moment in my medical school life! Where I finally owned a complete buddy line members from first year up to final year (me). A book of generations had been passed down and is to be filled by the new members joining into my “family” every academic year.

November:

Busiest month ever. Filled with lots of activities and programs. Posting at Teluk Intan Hospital, went back home impulsively to celebrate Deepavali with Mak Oi, celebrated buddy Jia Hui’s birthday and got to know 2 new friends, Chee Beng and Alex.

December:

Most awaited month every year. Why? It is my birthday on 22nd! This year is rather special since I spent almost the whole month at Teluk Intan for my Surgery posting under 2 great teachers’ supervision i.e. Mr Pani and Mr Rizal. I was touched by my buddies act to celebrate my birthday at Fullhouse. The venue was specially chosen suiting my fondness in white English cottage style of interior designing. Thank you!

This year 2010 is gonna be TOTALLY DIFERRENT! In 10 weeks time, I’ll graduate. I believe I will spread my wings and fly confidently in the sky of medicine. God bless me and everyone!

CF has its first outing for year 2009 yesterday. Julian, the organizer, has chosen Sg. Gabai Waterfall in Batu 21 Hulu Langat as our outing destination. It is not too far away from Cheras (about 30 minutes car drive) and many did review the waterfall pretty nice.

I am quite excited listening to that as it has been for some time since my last visit to a waterfall which was at Mork-Fa Waterfall in Chiang Mai 5 months ago. We left KTDI early in the morning and had breakfast at Batu 9. Time was just a quater past nine when we reached and there was not many people yet.

With only RM1 a person entrance fee, we are able to enjoy the chilling stream water and the scenic waterfall! Look at how amazing God’s creation is.

Fortunately the water is not too deep, having the deepest depth at my shoulder level. Or else, I would not be able to “walk” in the water since I do not know how to swim. I felt contented by just being able to “walk” around. Haha~

Thanks to Julian again, who photographed all these memorable moments with his brand new DSLR. Despite of worrying the camera might fall into the water, he was still dedicated to do so. Millions of thank you! Especially for taking this favourite photo of mine.

Bernard, Jane & I. (Photo courtesy Julian Chieng)

We called it a day at about 2.30pm after having our lunch somewhere around Leisure Mall. We had our group photo taken at the lunch place too as we forgot to take one at the waterfall. Glad having June the hyperactive speech therapist to be joining us as she had brought us laughters. At least me. Haha~

From Left: Yi Hui, Michael, Bernard, June, Shiau Chuen, Jane, me and Julian.

The outing ended safely even though a minor accident happened on Yi Hui while he was “skating” down the waterfall. Thank God! He sustained nothing more than a soft tissue injury. Get well soon, Yi Hui.

15.03.2009

Started the day with Sunday morning worshiping. It felt so great that both Bernard and I could make ourselves available on Sabbath.

We dropped by a laundry shop while we were on our way to the church. I had a total of 3.5kg dirty clothes and pants after the Bong Duet trekking! That’s freaking a lot! Haha.

Praise and worship session was conducted in Thai. Even though I couldn’t understand, yet I knew the hearts to worship Lord are the same. Fortunately, there was a translator helping us translating the sermon into English.

Felt so good that we were invited to have lunch after the service too. ^_^ We headed to Chiang Mai Zoo after the morning church service. Why zoo? I am not a child anymore.

Well, the reason was very simple. We were there after the two stars – Chuang Chuang and Lin-Hui, the giant pandas.

Chuang Chuang, male, 9 years old, 135 kg and 170 cm (OMG! It’s taller than me!)

It was funny to see Chuang Chuang being very active that day. Walking, playing, eating.. It was entertaining to watch him munching the bamboos. Looks cute!

Lin-Hui, female, 8 years old,  105 kg and 160 cm. She’s currently under pregnancy watch! And I believe this is a good news to all Thai?

However, she spent most of time sleeping that day. *sigh*

Of course, we do go-see other animal exhibits too. Just not to waste the 200 baht entrance fees. Hehe.

We left the zoo about 4 pm and took a baht taxi to go up Doi Suthep, the highest geographical point in Chiang Mai and it is said to be one of the must go places in Chiang Mai. The famous Wat Prathat is located here too.

From here, one can see the whole Chiang Mai City. The heavy haze of dry season had somehow turned us down. Felt very disappointed.

The disappointment doubled upon entering Wat Prathat. This beautiful temple on the mountain is currently under renovation! Its beauty has been covered by the bamboo sticks.

Nothing much can be done here besides taking some nice photographs.

These Buddha images have a story for each of them. But, I didn’t know about the stories are about. Just knew that these 7 statues represents the 7 days in a week. That’s all. ^_^

We went back to Chiang Mai City at about 6 pm after an hour journey on a baht taxi. Took our laundry and rested a while before going to the famous Rachadamnoen Road Sunday Walking Street.

It is just a 5-minute walk from Eagle House No.2! And, guess what.. It was so busy and I needed to squeeze through the crowd!

The road is just a quiet and tranquil road on other nights. No car, hardly any human. See the difference? ^_^

The fun part in this market is that it sells Halal foods too! I made me suddenly missing our Malaysian Nasi Kandar, Nasi Lemak and other yummy yummy local cuisines. Frankly saying, the Halal food tasted as nice as the other non-Halal Thai food!

I called it a day after watching some cultural dances of Northern Thailand. I think it is a competition or what so ever similar.

I slept early today since I must wake up very early the next morning for Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle Trip!

14.03.2009 (Finally, the last day of trekking in Bong Duet National Park!)

Waking up at 6am today. Sunlight had already shone into our room via the gaps between the wooden wall.

My thigh muscles were much better after massage last night. I could walk much faster now! Somehow, as promised by Nooka earlier, we would not be doing any walking today.

We would raft! Going downstream of Mae Teang River to the last pit stop on a bamboo raft. The journey was estimated to take 5 hours. I was kinda excited initially until I saw the bamboo raft.

It was nothing but a simple water transport having 14 long bamboo sticks tied together. No seat, no handle bars to hold. The excitement faded, replaced by great anxiety. I am a hydrophobic who scare of deep water! Besides, I doubted whether it could stand the weight of 4 men, or not.

Bernard was so considerate. He was forced to offered to raft at the middle position. Me? Standing behind Wit, the chief steer, holding on the bamboo sticks used to hang our bags. Hehe ^_^

Slowly, I felt more comfortable with it. The river looked shallow and the water was not fast since it was dry season that time. Suddenly, I heard the sound of harsh water flowing. Wit said, we would raft across the rocks and waterfall ahead.

OMG! Waterfall? Fortunately, these waterfalls are not the high type of waterfall, or I would not be blogging right here now. But they are fulled with obstacles like big rocks and the harsh fast flowing water.

Thanks to Wit, he controlled the raft so well and we made it through SAFELY. Our bamboo raft nearly turn over at another big waterfall. The raft got tilted almost 45 degrees and the water level was already at my knee level on the right. The rock on the left was too big. What a scary moment!

With Wit’s great skills, we successfully went over another 15-20 waterfalls, big and small. Reaching the pit stop – a Lahu settlement, Shan Village after 5 hours.

Here, I got “robbed” by the Akha ladies. Bought a few hilltribe handicrafts at a high price. (=.=)”’ I am just a lousy man who don’t know how to bargain. *sigh*

Before leaving Shan Village after lunch, we took photo with Wit (second from right). He looks like a Korean with tanned skin, doesn’t he? Hehe.

On our way back to Eagle House No.2, we stopped at the Long Neck Karen Village with admission fee of 500 baht. I was there, finally! It was many years ago when I first knew the existence of this special group of people.

Many are skeptical that they might break their neck and die after removing the heavy bronze rings on their neck. So did I until I was being told not by the villagers.

Before my trip to Chiang Mai, I came across an article pledging visitors to boycott visiting these villages while I was doing my online research. It was said for Karen women rights and to stop the continuation of this inhumane act on the younger generation.

However, these former refugees from Myanmar depend on tourism and handicrafts selling as main source of income. Even though they hold Thai ID now, majority of them are still illiterate. What can they do for a living then? What an irony huh.

Besides Long Neck Karen, I saw Big Ear Karen and Lahu Hilltribe in this village too. Having a long neck or big ear is perceived as a symbol of beauty for the Karens. The saying is right, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”.

Lahu Hilltribe originated from Yun Nan, China and most of them could speak Mandarin. I encountered this beautiful Mandarin speaking Lahu woman here. She is a mother-to-be.

We reached our guesthouse at about 5pm. Like usual, a photo session with Nooka before saying goodbye. We moved into a new room, 107 and unpacking our stuffs. I rested for a while before taking a nice hot shower. ^_^

There is a Saturday Walking Street outside the Southern Gate, Chiang Mai Gate, of Chiang Mai old city.

It’s a huge night market and with lots of variety to be chosen. Ranging from local foods, handicraft, clothing, music, arts and et cetera. It is a busy night market.

We ate many different local foods. Some taste really good while some others were just nice. I found this grilled mushroom with egg on banana leaf the best. But I’ve forgotten its name. (=.=)”’

I found this photographer in the night market too. He took many nice photos in Mae Hong Son during spring few months ago and made them into postcards for sale. I was tempted to buy the postcards. The beautiful scenery in the postcards was just amazing!. Ended up buying a few.

We spent about 3 hours there and many bahts too before walking back to Eagle House No.2. I got both of my legs elevated before sleeping after one day of walking. Just to avoid pedal edema. Haha!

Lights off at 12am.

13.03.09

I woke up at 3am this morning after a 7-hour sleep. It was chilling cold in this Karen Village during night time and I could hardly see anything since it was pretty dark.

By covering a few more blankets, I continued to sleep since nothing can be done.

I started to hear the birds chirping merrily outside and felt the warmth of the sun heating up our room. I knew it was the time get up and be ready for the next trek. This time, 4 mountain tops, each getting steeper and harder, before reaching the elephant camp.

Having an English style breakfast this morning. Toasts with butter and jam, boiled eggs, and the very special mountain tea processed by the Karen villagers themselves.

Well, it was estimated that we might need 5 hours to complete the last trekking since there would be no long walking tomorrow. Surely I needed abundance of energy store to complete this challenging route, right? ^_^

Suddenly at about 7.30am, Nooka came to both Bernard and I in a very serious facial expression, just not like the usual him. “Both of you are doctors right? We need your help.” We looked at each other and knew something happened having no time to tell him that we are yet to become one.

There was a middle age Caucasian woman presented with one day history of bizarre actions and speech. According to her tour guide (she was from another group), she laughed and cried intermittently while talking to herself since yesterday night. Occasionally, she presented with some kinda funny movements and acts. Obviously, it could be some psychiatric problem.

Bernard tried to talk to the patient while I took some simple history from a man accompanying her, who I initially thought, her husband. Well, he wasn’t. Her husband and children were all in their home country according to the man. She left to Thailand alone.

The man told us that she might have some kinda psychiatric problem. He suspected it would be a bipolar, which both of us could not agree with him. Schizophrenia fits into her case. This is further ascertained after running through a simplified mental state examination.

However, we could not help. Acute relapse of schizophrenia needs medications to put it under control. Therefore, she was sent back to Chiang Mai so that she could receive necessary treatment.

The man walked away after thing seemed to be okay. While watching him from the back, I was thinking a few things. He is not from the medical field yet he knows something about medical, this is great ‘coz it shows how aware a community is to their own health. Hoping Malaysians are moving to this direction too!

We started walking at 8am. It was quite easy to go over the first two mountain tops. We took a short break in another Karen village after 1 1/2 hours of trekking. As usual, they tried to sell something to you.

Here, I saw the original Karen Hilltribe house. Nooka told us the original Karen house is built on bamboo with high tilts. Underneath, they keep the wood for cooking.

The hill tribe residents’ welfare is well taken care. Government places solar energy generators in these villages so that they can have electricity at night and no longer living in total darkness at night. Some big water containers with pipes were given by their government too so that they have clean water to use. Seeing this, I asked myself what our government has done to help the Orang Asli? I couldn’t think of any.

The real challenge started after resting. The remaining two mountain tops were relatively difficult to climb. The steep path, covered with lots of dry leaves and small rocks, got me tripped and fell for many times. Especially when walking downhill, the sustained contraction on my quadriceps group of muscles inducing painful cramps. All these slowed down the team’s speed.

I felt so sorry to Bernard and Nooka. We could have reached the elephant camp earlier than 3 1/2 hours (But we were still manage to complete the trekking 1 1/2 earlier than scheduled time). ^_^

On our way, we saw this rare forest orchid from the family Orchidae which blooms only once a year. Very lucky huh?

It was so hot and my feet were damn dirty. Thus, I went to wash my feet and shoes on the riverbank. Without being noticed, Bernard took this photo of mine. The video is even hilarious.

An award of finishing the trekking? A super duper big bowl of noodles. It was so delicious! (Everything is 5 stars when you are starved! Haha.) We had some local pineapples as dessert too.

We got the chance to help bathing the elephant before riding on its back for another 1 1/2 hours to Nooka’s village, the biggest Karen village in this area.

Riding on an elephant is very uncomfortable. I felt nauseated!

In Nooka’s village, the very first thing we did is getting a nice bath and a nap. However, we could not sleep long as it was freaking hot. The heat could just cook us. Sounds like a desert huh? The air was very dry too.

Later at about 4pm, Nooka brought us around his village. We went to his school, a not so ordinary school. The primary students learn how to rear chickens, pigs, catfish, farming vegetables besides the formal education. Hostels are provided for kids from other small villages too.

It’s funny. Does this baby buffalo looking like smiling to you? Hehe.

Acted a bit childish in a preschool playground too. Hehe ^_^

I was glad seeing a church here too. The God’s gospel has reached here!

I called it a day after a traditional Karen massage with 200 baht for 1 hour. It methods are totally differently from traditional Thai massage. Damn painful when the masseur massaging my thighs which I think injured with repeated cramps.

Tonight, I slept at about 8.30am with a wet facial wipes putting on my nose ‘coz the air was too dry! Dry air is often very uncomfortable due to crusts formation within my nasal cavity. Hard to fall into sleep due to this reason despite of the stupid swines’ grunting all night long. *oink oink*