Growing flowers indoor - Orchids and African Violets

I love flowers in the various shades of pink/fuchsia. Somehow, bright pink flowers are so shocking, mesmerising and vivid. They really bring a splash of colours amongst my indoor garden and no regrets in getting/cultivating them thus far. I've embarked on a series of different types of flowering plants and to my surprise, these 3 little pets seem to bloom just as well as in the shop over the past few months.

From my orchids collection, the only plant that blooms seasonally is this bright pink orchid @ Pinky. So how do I care for Pinky and her gang amidst my busy schedule? Spray only at the roots twice a day and let plenty of air circulate around them. Usually I add a few drops of liquid orchid food into the watering can.

Another wonderful responsive plant is this Gloxinia which I have placed in a sunny corner in the office. It was resurrected from near-certain death while I was growing it in my sunny, warm living room. In the cold air-conditioned office environment, Gloxinia keeps on showing up with gorgeous bright blossoms once every 2 months. Despite long periods of non-watering from her owner. Maybe that's the key for this particular species - lack of fuss and water!

And of course there is this wonderful gift from a colleague at office after I chatted about my indoor garden at my little apartment. I was promptly rewarded with this little plant, Violet, an African violet. She was actually propagated from other plants grown in the floors above. Initially, Violet refused to flower in a semi-sheltered corner. I've moved her to a sunny corner next to Gloxinia and lo and behold! She flowers every 3 weeks now. Again another fussy plant, I've taken care not to over-water this creature and over-fed them with nutrient. However, I've not been very successful in my desire to re-pot this rapidly growing plant and I worry that the root system will be stunted soon in view of the exuberant growth. Usually I add in diluted African violet liquid fertilizer into my watering bottle once every 2-3 weeks to help with replenishing the nutrient in the soil.

Unearthing a new talent! Live update of my vegetable plot Part 1

I am so excited today because almost all the bok choy seeds I've sown recently have germinated! Hooray...

My first crops of vegetable consist of these boy choy. 2 days after carefully sowing the seeds, this is the outcome.

Obviously, I was very pleased after my initial failure of growing anything from Horti seeds. I realized that the quality of seeds and types of plants really matter. Being a novice, I'm probably not ready for plants like thyme or rosemary in a tropical country. So far, I know basil, succulents and orchid works very well in an indoor setting in Singapore

5 days later, I've decided to transplant the immatured 1-inch seedlings from the plastic tray to the eventual container. Experimenting with 3 different types of containers, a deep container, a long planter and a small little container (for microgreens perhaps). I suspect that the little container will be overgrown with bok choy within 1 week if the growth spurts continue. This is the outcome today after I gave some diluted liquid fertilizers from Daiso.

My next step will be to further thin the seedlings so that they are about 10-12 inches apart. In the current state, these babies will probably die off they are still very crowded and this will probably impair their full maturity later.

I think I've found the key ingredient: very fertile soil from the local market in Clementi, mixed with compost. This is further complemented with water used to wash seafood I cook (I cook once a week, that's the most I can indulge in my second hobby). I've also taken to using organic insecticide and revitalizer to help prevent illness and insects. Hopefully, the bok choy will thrive in this sunny alcove and soon I'll be able to harvest my own vegetable!

Hooked to my Indoor Garden

After days of pondering about acquiring a new hobby, I stumbled upon a few websites exhorting the possibilities of growing your own herb garden in a small apartment. Suddenly this became a strong impetus to go on a 'buying' spree. After voraciously reading up on pros and cons of growing various plants in Singapore (in order to suit my absence from them), I've decided on the following plants...

The first was the Basil... Basil thrives in the sunny warm climate of Singapore...and I love the aroma and taste of Basil in Italian & Thai cooking. My adventures started with a few bought from the NTUC finest vegetable section...

Basically Italian basil grown via hydroponics methods are kind of sensitive once you transplant them to regular potting soil mix. Out of 6 plants, I ended up having these 2. The rest sadly perished to root rot. Still I think it's not the end of the story as we can propagate basil using cuttings dipped into water plus a lot of patience (as seen in the foreground). I've already made my own pesto sauce from my basil without any pesticides and unusual fertilizers. What a victorious feeling!

Upon getting hooked, my shopping spree began. Next little pet I had was this moderately-big pot of sweet basil from a market in Clementi Ave 2. It looks very hardy and I've harvested 3x from this plant already. Just remember to fertilize using organic fertilizers (i.e. dung from either goat, chicken, etc) and use neem powder as natural pesticide. This is the plant on the right of the pic below.

My proudest moment as a gardener was when I snagged this pretty bunch of rosemary at an unusually cheap price at the same market in Clementi. This is seen on the left of the upper shelf (next to the basil). I literally snapped it up from the market just before another lady who was perusing at the range of 2 rosemary plants on offer. Indeed rosemary is a beautiful, hardy, dry-weather plant. The heady aroma is gorgeous and I have cooked at least 4 times with this awesome looking plant. Essential oil produced by this plant has this attractive aroma that naturally bring fragrance to any food or room. Much better than growing from rosemary seeds (trust me, I tried) because I totally failed at even producing one seedling from the seeds I've sown. This little girl loves living precariously on the dry side & adores the sun as well. Therefore, the prime position facing the sun and of course, only water once a day or when the soil is dry to touch.

Next my cutesy ornamental plants. Air plants are very pretty little flora that brings automatic cheer to any room and it's kind of hardy as well. I've just recently acquired this spiky little fellow (pic above) and apparently it's very easy to care for. Other than looking good, I've yet to find a use for this plant. Nevertheless, it's a good chum to my rosemary and basil.

And finally, my new succulent collections. This has recently arrived via post (online purchase) at a very very affordable rate. These are the most cost-effective little home decor items, and being alive gives us a lot of little baby plants in the future too either to brighten up each room in the house or to disseminate as gifts. 

Apparently, some brides are using this hardy creatures in the weddings as part of an eco-friendly decor movement. Ain't too bad for a genus that originates from the desert.

Echeveria (pic above) is this lovely purple-pinkish succulent that is easy to propagate but very sensitive to the hot weather in Singapore - coz it can get sunburn easily. Gradually expose it to sun and if possible, keep it in a slightly colder environment at night. I've recently given it a new pot, hopefully it likes it new home.

I think this is a graptoveria - correct me if I'm wrong - very new in the succulent world. Apparently it's a hybrid between graptoverium and echeveria thus it's green but in a petal-like formation. Out of all 3, apparently this can really with-stand the Singaporean sun but I've also not taking chances. Currently, it's sitting pretty in the shade for now.
  

And finally, this unusual looking haworthia which I believe is the turgid haworthia. I like the thorny-like apperance but there is no thorn at all. Reading up on all the stories and articles on succulents online made me realize that there are a lot of succulent-fans out there and this cute little plants are definitely here to stay. 

The most important ingredients (based on research, not experience) is a combination of appropriate well-draining soil, very little water and sunlight+cold nights (simulating desert conditions). I've to say I'm most worried about my succulents because the nights are still kind of hot in Singapore. Hopefully, the raining season will come soon and bring some relief to my 3 little plants.

Looking forward to growing more indoor plants in the near future - both edible and inedible (pretty ornaments) as this new hobby takes flight.

Another chapter beckons - assuming new responsibilities

Writing is..a form of catharsis to the soul. I've forgotten how joyful it is to be able to put my thoughts into words, stringing the words into sentences and creating the magic of written prose. With so much of pressure associated with 'scientific' writing in my daily work - I've forgotten the joys of casually, calmly jotting down my thoughts.

Next month marks another new chapter to my life. I'm not sure whether I'm ready to be a consultant, just like when I first stepped into HKL 10 years ago, I wasn't sure whether I'll be a good doctor or now. Now I'm wondering whether my years of wandering about, gathering knowledge, experience and pearls of wisdoms from various hospitals, mentors, colleagues and patients - whether I'll be worthy of the calling of a consultant general surgeon in a big academic medical centre in Asia.

Recently I met a few people who made me think very hard about the meaning of being a good leader and a healthcare provider. To some, these might be ordinary faces in the streets, foreign faces on this tiny, crowded island. To me, these could have been me should my life turned out differently. Yet they strike me as reminder of this inner meaning and purpose - What is my calling?

The calling is simple but not as easy to achieve - to live according to God's will, marked by being a person filled with moral values, integrity and honour. With each blessings in life, sometimes we forget that if we give up on our values, all that is left is emptiness and early burn-out. Today I received a reminder from above that I cannot squander all that I've been taught and given, and I do not ever 'rest on my laurels' - coz we should never stop learning and giving....

Before next month even begins, next week is the start of the school term for the bright medical students in clinical years in NUS. God has placed me here for a purpose, and I sure hope that I can give back to the community what He has given to me. Alongside some of the best medical and surgical tutors in the region, again I have the opportunity to guide these young sparks into the backbone of the healthcare system in this country. I pray that I'll be able to effectively help these young ones into being competent, confident and caring doctors of the future.

Through it All: Decade of ups-and-downs in the world of cilipadidoctor-ing

Just like the eminent PM LHL, who has been at the helm of this little red dot for a decade...for me, it's been nearly a decade of 'repairing' the human body. Guess I'm showing my age by penning this post but I can't resist as it's been a very interesting day of reflection. Deep thoughts often open up the floodgates of penmanship in me, unlocking the writer's block in me and of course allowing me to revive my blog once in a long while.

Why the sudden impetus to write on this calm, windy Saturday afternoon here in the balmy tropical island of Singapore? Probably the recent conversations about life and death due to Ebola Hemorrhagic Virus with my Nigerian doctor-friend who is fighting in ground zero in combination with the joyful announcements of the successful Singaporean contingent in the just-concluded FRCS (GS) examinations in KTPH.

Spent nearly half the decade of 'doctoring' in Malaysia before settling in Singapore. Eternally-grateful for the teachers from both countries who have enlightened me along the way, gifted me knowledge in the human body and honed in me the skills necessary to be a good general surgeon. Sometimes I do miss practising in Malaysia, the hustle and bustle of a Malaysian general hospital where we truly see the meaning of 'general' in general surgery.

My happiest memories of being a clinician were those of patients grasped from the jaws of death, those turned around from the light at the end of the tunnel and their subsequent walk out of the hospital. It's been a wonderful, fulfilling journey and I pray to God that He will give me much wisdom, ability and opportunities to minister to the ill. 

Nostalgia aside, life is very different now. The focus is excellence in the highest level, fighting alongside the best minds in this tropical metropolis. Be it persevering in the war against cancer, suppressing my adrenaline rush to remain the calmest mind in the face of a surgical emergency, teaching the brightest young minds in YLLSoM or calculating p-values and confidence interval...I am grateful for being allowed to flourish in this institution. Truly I have now understood what is meritocracy and what opened doors mean....

My twin passion in professional life is in general surgery and public health and my quest is to leave a great legacy for many female surgeons and public health practitioner a few decades down the road. So before that could come to fruition, please pray for me as I prepare for the largest battle of my professional career in a few months' time. I may not know what God has in store for me as these are kairos moments but I know that He is always there for me through it all....

Lost & Found: Perhaps a modern miracle?

This week has been so eventful that I can't help but blog about it. Actually one event trumped it all, the tale of the lost pair of rings. Here goes:

And so Dr L being a busy, multi-tasking, Type A surgeon was juggling work, social life and family happily. One fine Wednesday, there was this gorgeous dinner at Marina Bay Sands after work with colleagues and hubby. Being over-excited as always, she's decided to wear both her wedding and engagement rings...which both carry significant symbolism and price tags. Nevertheless, the dinner went on smoothly and she went home safely.

Early the next day, both Dr L and Dr L woke up early to grab a bus to work as the car is in the workshop. Now the car is in the workshop because Dr L forgot to top up engine oil the Sunday before and the car broke down pitifully on the way back from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. So u see, it's a very tiring and long week packed with long hours at work and commuting. Nevertheless, Dr L was still in high spirits.

She scrubbed in for an operation to remove part of someone's stomach to reduce weight and improve health. The operation went on smoothly. Unbeknownst to her, something very critical has happened on her way out of theatre to go do a few endoscopic procedures. She went into theatre still wearing her rings..but there were none on her finger as she emerged out of the theatre, rushing to do procedures elsewhere.

Thus busy Thursday flew by and she went home. Being an aspirant 'housewife' she decided to cook dinner and after dinner, fell asleep peacefully. Again unknown to her, her rings are not even in her house at this point.

Then came stormy Friday. Upon waking up from a very blissful and dreamless sleep, Dr L suddenly remembered her rings, wanting to store it up at its usual location. Lo and behold! It's gone. Disaster struck...she couldn't find it. The other half was also equally concerned but clueless. He has to go to work for night duty and so he left her to look for it frantically at home. Yet it was not to be found.

She went to work in really low spirits but determined to find her rings. She retraced her steps and interviewed every single person she encountered on Wednesday night and the whole of Thursday. Dr L knew time is not on her side as 24hours has elapsed since the rings were last sighted. She reported the incident to the hospital cleaning services and laundry, hoping something will turn up.

The weekend came. Still no news. She was even on duty on Saturday and has to put this important matter at the back of her mind as she concentrated fully on her surgical patients. Material goods carry certain symbolic meaning but that's all...human lives matter the most.

Not giving up on hope, she began to pray earnestly to God. There is surely a way for the rings to come back as long as it's within God's will. However, God wanted Dr L to learn something. He wanted her to learn to trust him completely and not to think about something she can't change now. Dr L learnt to let go. She surrendered it to God completely. With a heavy heart, she stopped searching on Sunday, 48 hours after the initial loss.

Another 2 days has passed by. No news. By now, she has gained the nickname of Gollum, with her "Preciousssses" gone. Life goes on. Suddenly on Wednesday morning, she received a call from the cleaning supervisors. They found her rings!

It was actually found all the way in the pockets of the surgical scrubs. This had travelled quite far to the hospital laundry services in Singapore's only prison. God has touched the hearts of everyone involved, with all the Singaporeans honestly doing their duty and returning them to their rightful owner.

Of course, Dr L is extremely overjoyed and relieved. It has only been few months since the wedding and with such a busy life, a lot of things happened on the daily basis. Yet one thing remained, the faithfulness and goodness of God trumps the lapse of memory of a human being. God is indeed wonderful and loving!

What 2013 meant...

A year of excitement. Wonderful adventure. Start of a new chapter. 2013 has been one of the most challenging and happiest year of my life.

It started with a bang...Opening up with the biggest financial commitment of my life. If before I was a rolling stone, this is the major anchor cemented my decision to set root in Singapore. Y and I decided to purchase a house together. As we worked on the reconstruction plans, e.g. the artist's rendering of our new home. The dream became a reality 2 months later as our little nest was completed.

Then the master's program culminated in a tough practicum project leading to my graduation in mid 2013. Another milestone as I join the ranks of public health practitioner amidst my surgical practice. 2 years of hard work after-hours, learning priceless knowledge on preventive health and knowing good classmates..It was truly worth all the efforts...

Of course the main highlight of 2013 would be undisputedly the awesome Docs Tie The Knot 2013 held in both Singapore and Malaysia. Y & I worked very hard on preparing for 2 joyous days of celebration as we hold each other's hands and made solemn promise to have and hold, in sickness and health, till death do us part. What lifted my heart and soul is that I know my late mother in heaven would rejoice on this happy occassion too..even as my siblings and I remembered how she loved us. She would love Y as her own too...I am sure of it.

Thoughts as Y and I enter into a new year of 2014? May our good Lord continue to watch over us as we dedicate both our lives in serving Him - in bringing the art and science of healing to our patients daily, in enriching the souls of our oikos and in loving one another. Even as we rejoice and give thanks for all that has happened in the past, we are sure that God will continue to amaze us with greater things to come as we face life, together.

Odyssey to the centre of Europe 1 - Pretty Prague

Quarter of my trip down and just discovered live-blogging from European trains. Better late than never. Sometimes it's cathartic, at other times, strangely poignant, recalling our travels as we zoomed pass giant wind-farms & golden fields of rural Austria. 

Marvelous European railways

Our first day was a seemingly endless day of cruising at 35,000 ft above sea level as we tried to sleep on the huge Lufthansa Airbus. Thankfully, we drifted off into a dreamless sleep as we were fatigued from 2 weeks of wedding prep & festivities. Frankfurt airport was ruthlessly functional but forgettable. At least I managed to clear customs (always a few minutes delayed compared to Singaporeans that I am traveling with). Don't these people know where is Malaysia?

The cathedral in centre of Prague Castle

Quoting from our guidebooks, these fertile soil is also sites of famous battlegrounds since medieval times. Blood had been shed defending the glorious Austro-Hungarian empire. But mostly, the empire blossomed from the times of the Spanish Hapsburg to the First World War. 

Beautiful vista of Prague

Before my mind began to wander back in history, maybe I should record down the chronicles of our recent foray eastward across the plains of the Donau Valley (Danube River).

This is Vltava River, not the Danube..with Charles Bridge in the distance

On our second day, a quick connecting flight brought us to the ancient capital of Czech Republic..Prague or Praha. Weather was sunny, with brisk chilly wind reminding us that it's autumn after all. Apparently the town is always brimming with tourists from all over the world, eager to explore the castle, the bridge and the clock. 

Elegant houses of Prague

Prague castle looms large over the city's skyline with the spires and buttresses of St Vitus cathedral piercing the blue sky. This is the largest medieval castle in the world according to lonely planet if you count the entire corner of Hradcany as part of the castle. To me, the abandoned castle with no actual inhabitant or a royal family is such a melancholic relic. 

Smaller bridges of Prague

Charles bridge across the Vltava river, on the other hand, seems so lively and functional as it spans the giant question-shaped waterway that is the lifeline of Prague since it's foundation by princess Libuse.

View from the riverbanks of Vltava River, Prague

Steamers, ferries, paddleboats gently sailed from the riverbanks as we strolled slowly pass the meandering waters. Alas, the inevitable jet lag overtook us and we retired early into our hotel on the Katerinska in the Nove mesto.

Malostranska subway station, Prague

After all, we were looking forward to our first time on European trains. So, bright and early on the third day of our sojourn, we say hi to stately, proud Vienna with majestic Habsburg castles, museums and pretty parks bathed in stunning autumnal colours.... 

Habsburg Castle complex, Vienna, Austria

to be continued...

Haze Myth: PSI vs Visibility vs PM2.5

Rumours abound in times of trouble...and its' human nature to 'panic' and fear the unknown or unnatural. As a medical doctor and recent public health graduate, sometimes we see things differently through broader lenses. Rational, educated mind is a good defense against irrational feelings and emotions. Despite what our eyes tell us, let us focus on creating solutions and calming those around us, instead of creating more anger and fear. That's why I was quite impressed with what PM Lee said recently regarding this crisis - no megaphone diplomacy for this statesman.

Firstly, the PSI has been adopted in Singapore to give the public an up-to-date information on the air quality in this country, as opposed to the different indices used in US, Malaysia, etc. It's a composite of various substances in the air which may cause harm to the human body if we are exposed to it in significant concentration, depending on what is your health status. A normal healthy adult obviously could tolerate the pollutants a bit better than a sickly person, the young and the old. However, if you are exposed to it in significant amounts over a prolonged duration, there may be both short and long-term effects.

Secondly, I would say of all the pollutants being reported, the most insidious and hardest to clear from our body is the PM2.5 particulate which is lodged in our alveoli. These particulates are suspended in the air, but invisible to the naked eye and odourless. When its consistently high (as reported by various authorities), it can cause long-term lung damages, especially lung fibrosis in the future. Not now. What's happening now is the sequelae of direct irritants in the air, to our airway - sore throat, cough, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, headache etc. It's usually a brief episode unless the hazy condition persists.

Thirdly, staying indoors is a good advice, provided that you have air purifier or a good working air-conditioner with functional air filter. Indoor air quality can be worsened if u open the doors/windows intermittently and trap the haze within the closed compound. Especially for those susceptible to the effects of haze, please take precautions - wear a well-fitted N95 mask properly whenever u are exposed to hazy outdoor air but do not hoard. There are more than enough masks around - just be patient and resourceful. Visibility is not equivalent to high PSI. Check the official results regularly to be well-informed.

Lastly, public health problems require public health solutions...it has be long-term sustainable solutions, tackling the root causes and not just a one-off assistance. Short term measures like creating rain artificially or fighting the fire are temporary measures. We have to work together to tackle the root causes of why these fires are started at the first place. Eradicate poverty, improve on peat-fire surveillance, tighten legislations and change this burning practice. This is a man-made calamity, which means, we can work together to eradicate the cause and not point fingers. Empty vessels are of no help now. Human behaviour may be hard to change, but it's not impossible. The collaborative task-force should be sustained long-term and not hastily convened at the sight of trouble. Prevention is better than cure....

Meanwhile, continue to keep calm, drink lotsa water and pray on.

Caveat: This article is purely personal opinion and doesn't amount of professional medical advice. Please seek a doctor's consultation if you are suffering from the effects of haze. Thank u.

Rediscovering the famous noodles of Malaysia Part 1



Sometimes I feel that I kinda neglect talking about the wonderful food I grew up with. Short of making atonement (i.e. constructing the dish myself), I've decided to dedicate this entire post (in all its' brief glory) to the wonderful heritage of hawker food in Malaysia. Starting with my beloved hometown/city, KL.

Go Google Imbi Pork... and immediately this foodstall (Imbi Pork Ball Noodle) at Win Heng Seng corner coffee shop pops up. Numerous posts have been dedicated to this scrumptious concoction. How I even begin to describe this delicacy - the soft, smooth rice noodle bathed in dark, savoury gravy to the robust, flavoursome minced-pork laced with plenty of fiery Sarawakian white pepper and finely-chopped spring onions...ah, my mouth still salivates at the thought of this Michelin-star worthy dish. IMHO, it ranks quite high up the top 10 food in Malaysia, sitting up there among the Penang CKT at Lorong Selamat, Hokkien Mee, etc.

The perfect accompaniment to the white ribbons of delicious kway teow is usually this bowl of peppery soup made from some secret-broth. Especially if you order the 'dry' bowl. It's not easy to find this springy, dense near-perfect chu-yok-yun (pork ball) and Chinese sausage gently floating in the amazing broth. Therefore, it's unsurprising that the crowd is often-time huge despite the fierce heat and lack of proper seats/ventilation. Go and experience this heritage-food before another huge corporation gobbles up this recipe or company & ended up having (inferior) franchises in malls and airports, ok? YY said that he would drive 400+ km from Singapore just to have this for lunch and then go back. Sort of a foodies' mini-pilgrimage in lieu of even further distance to another food-mecca (Penang).

There was also another kind of noodles I grow up with. Along the North-South Expressway, there lies a small town called Tangkak. To most people, this one-lane settlement is famous for Mount Ophir but I've recently discovered that this town is equally well-known for its myriad of emporiums selling all sorts of fabrics, especially curtains. And a type of noodles called herbal beef soup noodles popularized by Kuang Fei off the main road of Tangkak.



It's probably true that we Chinese can probably eat anything with the back facing the sun. Each part of the cow's anatomy could be used for multi-purpose cooking and this bowl of perfectly-balanced meehoon soup is the prime example of it. What amazes me most is that there is the extremely juicy beef meat-cubes mixed with all sorts of 'innards' that resembled something I took out in the OT the other day. Stuff of legend. If you are yearning for a hearty bowl of beef noodles and wouldn't taking a detour on the NSE, do drop by this flagship store at Jalan Solok, Tangkak for the most yummy, value-for-money noodles this side of the country. You'll love it!

This is being grateful...my Phuket escapade

"What do you mean by you cannot check us in? We have a flight to catch!"

And there goes my vacation...actually, the end of my vacation. Being stuck on the dreamy vacation touristy island of Phuket ain't too bad, just that the airport was abysmal and I need to get back to Singapore (there is always some life-saving business to attend to, u see)...

Anyway, the extremely hectic month of April (yes, the duo terror of exams and research report) was interspersed with this gift from our hotel in KL. We flew to Phuket for a pre-wedding photoshoot with one of the most eminent photographer in the wedding circle in Malaysia, remarkably un-prepared and casual for 2 OCDs. Needless to say, being spontaneous means we thoroughly enjoyed our care-free, unpretentious cheerful photo-session -  with major credits to the ever-professional Jim Liaw and team.

I suspected I may have sabotaged myself by getting an outfit totally unsuitable for my shape/size but who cares when you are actually enjoying a photoshoot - and to be truthful...it has been a long, long time since I've gotten so much of fun in front of the camera (normally we're the ones behind it!). Of course there was this fleeting sense of envy when I saw how the other beautiful brides looked in their long, flowing bridal dress but all sense of inadequacy was washed away on the remarkably warm, clear seas of Kata beach as we jumped into the water during our final shot; totally splashed sand all over the semi-formal attire. Ah, the bliss of thrashing a dress in the sea. Hahaha!

Thailand is of course well known for flowers and upon arrival to Hilton Arcadia Phuket, we noticed there were fresh flowers everywhere. We asked for some as accessories and we were immediately given some. Thumbs-up to Hilton hospitality!

The flight to the island was extremely pleasant and we were the first couple to arrive as we travelled on an earlier flight from Singapore. Weather seemed excellent in early April. Only rained on the last day as we leave the island.

We were armed with not one but TWO lonely planet book on Islands & Beaches of Thailand, and a special laminated map of Phuket for the remaining part of the trip. Highly-recommend the map. The books aren't that helpful, to be fair.

This is the (in)famous Patong beach - sun, surf and sex(trade) all souped-up in a heady haven of hedonism. This is where I learnt the phrase ping-pong but didn't see the show. We also noticed the amount of male tourists outnumbering everyone else in this town.

It was also the Phuket Motorcycle week so the whole town was jam-packed with tourists, bikers and their accompaniments (read:hot bikes & gals).

In the meanwhile, i also took one whole day off to settle some work - sounded crazy - but I was supposed to hand-in some assignments right during the vacation. The mysteries of life as a hyperactive cilipadidoctor ain't easy :-P

As a reward, we went to Phang-Nga bay. Initially, we thought we could do some sea-kayaking. Turned out that the majority of the arm-work was done by the Thai guides while we lounge about in the kayak. At least we managed to do some canoeing at the end of the 'cruise' but it is not the same as Halong Bay, I can assure you. I was mildly disappointed. I guess I missed how we travelled from one mini-island to another in Vietnam.

IMHO, Halong Bay is a lot larger than Phang-Nga and somehow more authentic. If you come from a land far-away, I would suggest going to Halong rather than this area. I think there are a lot more hawkers in Phang-Nga as well and the food at the Muslim sea-village sucks.

James Bond Island. More famous for its' appearance in the movie rather than anything else. Not much to do here except take a picture of the island, sit back and observe the tourists.

More islands to gawk at on the way back at the end of the day. This is after we swam on a tiny island. As we leave this really nice island, I would say the airport was a real let-down but everything else was quite good for a short break. I guess I will come again in the future once I get my PADI license refreshed. Apparently, i heard the diving off Phi Phi Island is really good. Anyone's been there?

Caught this aerial view of one the islands in the beautiful Andaman Sea on the way back to Singapore. Time to say goodbye...to a wonderful island escapade in the midst of a crazy month!

Will 'UBAH' sweep through the land?

"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." - A Lincoln.


Change is inevitable. When there is a clarion call for change, a chain of action is unleashed, whether for the better or for worse. In a way, change can be more devastating to a mammoth organization that is unwilling or unable to embrace change, forever mired in the status quo.

Events of the past 1 week in Malaysia has strongly indicated that the behemoth called National Front (BN) has been rejected by the majority of the urban population, heralding a wave of change across the nation. From black 505, to the inspirational black Wednesday, emotions are running high on how best to dethrone a government supported by the minority.

However, we must put on our thinking cap and reflect on both side of the political divide. BN has a big armamentarium of national resources due to 56 years of uninterrupted rule over a blessed, resourceful land. Is the People's Alliance (PR) ready to challenge the 'Death Star', a juggernaut firmly entrenched in the ideologies of yesteryears, the ideology of divide-and-rule? Until and unless the evil doctrine left behind by our so-called colonial masters half a century ago is firmly eradicated, we cannot move forward. According to the principles of root cause analysis, we cannot improve unless we look into the system and eradicate the root causes. Otherwise, we are only treating the symptoms and not the disease, the root issues.

 Is the opposition without it's faults and fallacy too? We are all human with feet of clay, fallible and humble creatures. Of course the vast majority of their supporters know that too, but from the events in KJ Stadium, where the unity of all people are on show, PR is on the way to unite, instead of divide-and-rule. Their leaders ain't perfect, and as human, we will never be.

Yet, we are firmly behind them because of the hope they represent. Normal reticent Malaysians are no longer waiting patiently at the backstage. We are ready to take on the juggernaut at a higher level. We are ready to be a beacon of hope and change in a region filled with entrenched monopoly of power in various countries. We are ready to be a mature democracy, with a clean electoral commissions and fair judiciary. We are ready to experience sound, transparent governance and eradication of the silent apartheid.

How about the other root causes? I would say it's economic and social development. If our rural friends are in different stages of development, both socially and economically, who are we to blame? We can only blame ourselves for years of apathy, for letting our fellow Malaysians struggle in making daily living. We can only blame ourselves for electing the current government into power over the past 12 elections. The political divide is only reflective of the social divide we have let ourselves drift into over the years. Public outcry and demonstrations are the loudspeakers, but empty vessels make the loudest sounds. Action speaks louder than words. Action needs to be translated into tangible results.

My dear fellow Malaysians, go into every corner of the country and reconcile. Not only to reconcile the political differences but tackle the root causes. The government may be illegitimate in the eyes of many, but long periods of instability would only make our country weaker and exposed to external danger. I plead to the leaders on both side of the political divide to decide maturely, wisely, peacefully and for the good of the people. For in the end, what we hope for is the peace, freedom and prosperity of our country.

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."  - A Lincoln.

The article began and ended with quotes from President Abraham Lincoln, one of my favourite leaders of all time. Let the change to a better government begin, from the hearts of the people, the cries on the streets to the mightiest palaces of the land.

DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?

This is really an out-of the blue post. Probably not gonna put any pictures. I'm not sure when I'll have the courage to post this up. Maybe today is the day. I mean, why wait another 5 years?

I spent 90% of my life in KL, another 5% in Perak and another 5% in Singapore. My entire biological family is still in Malaysia. Although I'm not residing in Malaysia now, I'm definitely coming back to stand in the queue on 5th May 2013 in my polling station and exercise my rights as a citizen. Yes, INI KALILAH!

My appeal is for those of you who are registered Malaysian voter - please make arrangements to come back to vote. There is so much of fraud and intimidation ongoing that we need to make the voice of truth be heard. We don't want to go the way of violence or chaos. We want a peaceful, clean elections.

Civilizations rise and fall. A government ruling in a hegemony that lasted for more than 5 decades has bogged itself down with internal and external strife, corruption and divisive policies. From a promising country endowed with natural resources and beautiful people, we now have questionable governance and policy, leading to massive financial losses, security breaches, rising crime rate and pathetic brain drains.

International spotlight will be cast upon this Southeast Asian nation this Sunday. Is hope still alive? Looking at some unbiased report online, it seems so. Hope is alive. Hope for the future. Hope against the archaic, divisive policies akin to silent apartheid in Asia. Hope rings eternal.

Of course, a promise made must eventually turn to a promise kept. As this final, rousing theme song from Les Miserables keep on ringing in my head, let the song of angry men be the song of righteous men in the hallowed halls of Putrajaya, come 6th May 2013.

Let us humble ourselves and pray for the right decisions to be made by the 13 million people. Godspeed, leaders with integrity and honour!

Hakka Yong Tau Foo: Lost and found in SG!

Yes, I found it...real tasty YTF in Singapore. All the way in the East though.

The raw fish (first dish shown) was awesome - better than any sashimi u could find if u are into funky Chinese-style sashimi seasoned with bountiful amount of sesame oil and chinese parsley.

Basically, growing up with home-made YTF of the highest quality (thanx to my lovely nanny) means that I'm very picky when it comes to the fish paste used as stuffing. Sometimes, it's just too flat, and other times, too flour-y. So far, the hawker centres here are just barely passing the grade. Therefore, I have been yearning for a place with good-quality fish paste for the past few years.

I've found it! This store Goldhill Hakka Yong Tau Foo at Changi Road is situated next to the Simpang Yong Tau Foo which was formerly of Simpang Bedok fame. When we arrived, this store was jam-packed with customers compared to the latter, hence the obvious choice. 

What I love about the food is that not only it's tasty, it's quite nutritious too. We didn't order any rice but satisfied our carbs craving by the Hakka Yam Abacus, which is my comfort food while growing up. The fish paste was tasty but still not 100% up to mark as they over-processed the paste, thus making it taste slightly 'flat'. Nevertheless, I appreciated the authentic taste and don't mind having this again (Having found my heritage-food after such a long search, I'm a happy bunny now haha!) 

Anyway, my favourite dish in this restaurant? Has to be the yam-abacus dish that reminded me of my childhood. Next top recommendation is the yu sheng (raw fish)....looking forward to trying more dishes here (the clams, seafood, mixed vegetable, etc) in this fuss-free restaurant. Hardly any service but a lot of good food indeed!

Address: Goldhill Hakka Restaurant 299A Changi Road Singapore 419777. 11.30am-4pm daily (Closed Mondays).