Moved...

Officially moved to wlong.wordpress.com.

Owl's latest update...

Exam's coming up...

Four years of medical curriculum to be 'scanned' through...

An afternoon with Tun Dr Mahathir...

Tun Dr Mahathir, Malaysia former prime minister was in Melbourne today for a keynote presentation on 'Challenges Facing Youth Today to Make The World of Tomorrow.' Also, present were Tun Siti Hasmah as well as Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir. I was lucky to attend the event in view of the long waiting list for registration of the event.

Though I do not endorse most of the political views and stands of this authoritarian leader these days (or in the past), I still see him as a respectable and capable leader who has brought much development to our nation.

His key note address covered quite a range of issues with regards to the challenges facing the youths of this generation. By drawing significant contrast to his own teenage years, where he hardly knew much about the outside world, he advised youths of these days to be selective on the many information available to them. And in view of the current on-going political issues in Malaysia, he also implicitly mentioned that youth these days should not be blind supporters of leaders with poor leadership, but be vocal in raising constructive criticisms. However, he does acknowledge that excessive criticisms might hinder the governance as well (of which he is doing!:P) Other issues covered included current global economic turmoil, colonization by the West as well as global warming.

During the Q&A session, there were some interesting questions raised. One of the questions sought Tun Dr Mahathir's comment about the University and College Act, which was introduced and implemented back in the 1970s when he was the Minister of Education. And he was witty in his response, by claiming that the Act was essential during those days to control student leaders, who advocated street demonstrations, and obviously the Act has 'failed' as the then student leader is still advocating street demonstration these days. And whether the Act is still relevant nowadays is the decision of the current government which is beyond his control!

Anyway, that was my first personal encounter with Tun Dr Mahathir. It was a good afternoon, with an insightful talk.

p/s: I had to 'fight' hard with the crowd to get the photograph taken with him:D

Of OWL’s atypical ‘Hari Raya Open House’ experience

On the fourth day of Hari Raya celebration, I was ‘invited’ to attend a ‘Malay course mate’s Hari Raya Open House’ at the eleventh hour.

However this ’Hari Raya Open House’ was so different compared to those I attended back in Malaysia! The supposed ‘Hari Raya open house’ was held at a pubic picnic ground and of all places next to a cemetery! And as I arrived, I saw one familiar pretty young lady standing next to the BBQ pit barbeque-ing! Then more familiar faces popped out from behind the trees, with a paparazzi's camera continued clicking all the way! Well, none of them were clad in Baju Melayu or Baju Kurung. And instead of the traditional Malay food like nasi lemak or lemang, they served the non-halal sausages (and other equally scrumptious food of course)! So, obviously, this is not a Hari Raya celebration!

And so that’s my surprise birthday party on last Saturday. That’s indeed a SURPRISE! Anyway, thanks to everyone who attended, as well as those, who have helped organizing it. And most important of all, thanks Violet, for the enormous effort you put in!

p/s: Am also very glad to receive birthday cards sent all the way from overseas, and not forgetting the iTune gift cards + phone messages + the many wishes written on the Facebook wall (nb: my apology for being too busy to reply all of them). Really appreciate them!
pp/s: Jay Chow’s new album is coming out soon (or has been released) and I am still waiting for my birthday present!: D
ppp/s: Thanks to Chang Yang for the photo.

Oh my beloved country...

Oh my beloved country, shall we be a nation with true independence and freedom? And shall justice prevail?

Am losing patience and getting completely frustrated and disgusted at the current political development...

The most extravagant birthday celebration...

Below is the recounting of the most extravagant birthday celebration to date: -

• Return flight from Melbourne to Sydney

• Japanese Lunch Buffet at Yutaka Restaurant
  

• Ticket for an evening concert by Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the majestic Sydney Opera House

• Korean Supper at Seoul-Ria Restaurant

• English breakfast at Old Vienna cafe
  

Hmh...so, shall I calculate the total expenses for the entire trip, or shall I not?

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Violet! :D

As OWL looks forward to true independence on the 51st Independence Day

Have been preoccupied with all sorts of assignments and applications of late, which is the reason of my lack of postings this month. However, in conjunction with the 51st Malaysia Independence Day, simply have this ‘itch’ and urge to write something :D

As I attended the relatively modest Malaysia Independence Day celebration in Melbourne, this thought about the meaning of Independence Day came into my mind. Personally I have always thought that Malaysia Independence Day is not merely about the extravagant celebrations, with fireworks and massive parades and performance. And for fellow Malaysians overseas, neither is it only about wearing traditional attire of the same colour as the national flag or going out for Malaysian food. But apart from that, I have never really thought about what Malaysia Independence Day actually mean to me all this while. However, the never ending dramatic happenings back in our beloved home country have made me started pondering.

Indubitably, we have achieved independence from the British colonization exactly 51 years ago, but over the years, it seems that we started losing our independence again, to the corrupt and callous leaders. Just wondering: why are we happily indulging in all the Independence Day celebrations when we are not independent, under the pseudo-police state; when we have limited or no freedom to voice our discontent and frustration in fear of being arrested under the Draconian ISA; when we are gradually losing even our basic human rights; when the government is trying to defile our mind by forcefully spreading its propaganda through the main media and at the same time attempting to deny the public access to alternative media through unwarranted censorship; or when the supposedly august parliament is pushing for controversial bills without proper debate and with no regards to our welfare?

Anyway, all those pessimistic thought aside, I shall look forward to the 45th anniversary of Malaysia Day with the hope that fellow Malaysians will be able to secure more sense of independence in the near future. Fingers crossed.

OWL's going to Gold Coast this weekend...

OWL will be spending this coming weekend in Gold Coast. But oh well, I don't have the luxury of sunbathing on the beautiful beach or surfing on the world renowned Surfer's Paradise. Neither do I have the time to visit Dream World, Movie World, Sea World etc.

I will be heading to Gold Coast and performing with Australian Doctors Orchestra. After last year's successful concert in Sydney, ADO will be having their annual charity concert in Gold Coast this year. And it's held in conjunction with the Lung Cancer Conference, whereby the concert will be held right on the very last day of the 4-day conference. And not surpisingly the fund raised through the concert will go to the Australian Lung Foundation.

As for the program, we will be performing Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2, and Holst's The Planets. So, any Brisbanians or Gold Coasters, who are looking forward to some interesting event this coming weekend, do come along and enjoy some nice music brought to you by fellow doctors (and medical students)!

See you in Gold Coast!

Psych ward - the place to be for poorly managed stress!

While new semester recommenced and most students happily return to uni, there's this young lad who spends his days in the psychiatric ward in Dandenong Hospital. Being the dux of the faculty of a top university for the past couple of years, he was admitted into psych ward weeks after his self-claimed poor semester exams performance with significant symptoms of Major Depression Disorders (including depressed mood, anhedonia, apetite and sleep pattern changes, decreased concentration, irritability and feeling of worthlessness) and was in complete catatonic state at admission. However, with some mild symptoms of hallucination, he was diagnosed with psychotic depression.

And during my two hours of interview with him, two weeks post-admission and after a couple cycles of electroconvulsant therapy, he still hardly talked. Yes, it took two long hours for the interview as it took time for him to think and digest my questions and give one or two words answer. No doubt, he has got significant pre-morbid issues as well, being a complete introvert, with only a handful of friends and hardly ever socialize. Significant pressure from family is a major contributing factors too.

Anyway, I felt really bad for him. Being the creme de la creme of the faculty, he definitely has a very bright future a head! But somehow, one semester before graduating, this high-achiever broke down! Hopefully things get better for him.

Of typical doctor's illegible writing...

While browsing online, saw a copy of a recently revealed medical report of public interest.

Trying hard to read it, but hmh... yet another typical poor hand-writing by fellow doctors :D

Nb: patient 'de-identified' for confidentiality purposes. But oh well... how am I to 'de-identify' it when the report has been widely circulating on the web...