And then I was a bridesmaid...

When one of my oldest friends ever, YH asked me to be her bridesmaid, I said YES! We practically grew up together and I've known her longer than a lot of people, and vice versa. What is most poignant is that although we are living in different countries now, we still keep in touch thanks to whatsapp, facebook, emails and chats. 

Thanx to our amazingly busy schedule, rehearsal was pushed to the last day before her wedding. The rehearsal itself was heartwarming and communal..everyone from her family, church mates, cell group people, YY and I..we chipped in and helped with the practice and decor. She shared my firm belief that marriage is a simple, happy celebration of love and not something that is impersonal or materialistic. Every bride-to-be is rightfully excited about her own wedding...after all, it's a once-in-a-lifetime thingy. After helping out in YH wedding, yours truly is :
1. More than ever committed to stamp the hallmark of YY and LL on my own big day - quirky, interesting and unconventional.
2. To invite as many people that I love as possible..and with a healthy headstart ( I have 10-12 months to plan!) so that it'll be a big FAT GREEK, (oops, I mean) a BIG FAT MALAYSIAN-SINGAPOREAN wedding.

As for wedding personnel, YH was super-blessed - I think it comes from her gracious heart, heart of a servant of Christ. So many lovely souls played a role in her big day. Even the flower girl starts early nowadays..look at the cutie posing for us during the practice. She is adorable..however, the moody ring bearer went on strike. So we couldn't capture him in action.

Another culture which is peculiar to few countries in Asia and especially popular in Malaysia and Singapore is the 'jip san liong'..don't really know how to translate into English...some people described it as 'gatecrashing' but seriously, we are all civilized people here. I mean, we only want to have some fun and 'orientate' the groom's contigent. No crashing of gates here ok. Of course we do open the gates and doors willingly after they passed the 'tests'. (Pssst..remember the angpows hor).

I love the colourful wigs. Can I inherit them? By the way, the cute skirts? These are handicrafts from YY and I. we made the hula skirts for the grooms' men (heng tai) the night before. Some people say that we are imported free labourers..well, I think our skirts are quite pretty aren't they? For those interested in getting a set, these skirts are only available in pink, while stocks last.

Another almost-permanent fixture in these events are the prerequisite breakfast and drinks for the hard-working men. The international cuisine provided is astounding to a wide-extent, it's a fusion of Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Malay food. Wasabi is a very popular ingredient nowadays and check out the generous toppings on these biscuits. I brought along some Lomotil for the brothers, you know....thankfully, none of them needed it :-)

The happiness extended to the 2 bridesmaids who got engaged within the past 3 months. There is definitely love in the air! All thanx to YH and CW...

By the way, I started a new blog with perfectweddings.sg but realized that I don't have the time to concentrate on 2 blogs. I think I'll just talk about my preparations for the big event in Sep 2013 on this site. I'm sure you guys don't mind right?

Exhaustion and existence

Somewhere and sometime between being a surgeon, researcher, teacher, fiancee, student, daughter, sister..I lost myself in the buzz of things. I was totally drained out at one point this week, so much so that I almost fell asleep during a dinner on Friday with a group of new friends. It it almost unthinkable for a surgeon to doze off during company, but shamefully, I did on Level 33 overlooking Marina Bay.


Brings me to the topic of exhaustion and rest. Rest is so important to me right now at this point of the year that I couldn't think of anything else but to lay my head down to rest. It reminded me of days in HKL as a houseman, where I existed from day to day. The past 2 months seem to be a whirlwind of activities as I completed my daily tasks and wondered on when I could really slow down...I told myself that November. November will be the month that I could relax, after my semester exams. But then again, is it true rest? What am I truly achieving in the long run?


This morning's sermon by Pastor D. Yeo woke me up to reality self worth is not equivalent to performance and others' approval. Self worth is God's truth about us. We are co-heirs, royal priesthood. When I operate, teach, study, talk..I must feel God's pleasure upon me. I guess with that in mind, I cease to put this self-imposed pressure upon myself and learn to rest in His presence.


On an interesting note, my house hunting has been put to hiatus due to the inopportune timing of the bull market and the extreme greed in the housing market. Then this morning, one of my relatives reminded me that I couldn't have gotten a resale HDB so early before my wedding anyway. This proves to me that God knows the best timing for me and His awesome plan comes to my rescue again. I don't need to worry but He is my provider and shelter, my help and comforter...

The Day My Life Begin to Change..

It was one of the happiest days of my life. Surely, this is the biggest blessing to come from God this year, thus far. For me, it was an extremely pleasant surprise..

On 9th Aug 2012, the National Day of Singapore, I went to Mandarin Oriental Hotel expecting the best (air-conditioned) seats in the house for the grand National Day Parade at the floating platform downstairs. I went home the next day being so transformed and blessed...I was almost speechless. And it wasn't the luxurious hotel suite nor the wonderful show that took my breath away. Rather it was the sweet, romantic and personal proposal from my darling fiancee, YY...

I guess YY arranged the whole event for a long time - looking at all the effort he has poured into the P.R.O.P.O.S.A.L project and I have never seen him more nervous. My logistics maestro was extremely stealthy and steady in executing the entire event. As for the unprepared me, I am glad I said the right answer to the most important question in my life - YES!

So, amidst grand fireworks bursting behind us at eye level, it was a truly memorable evening. Of course I am glad he recorded it all on film..although strangely I moved out of frame (considering how much I love the camera) and I didn't shed a tear in the beginning (I guess the idea was still sinking into my thick caput)

It was only when we kneel on our knees and prayed for God to shine His light upon us and lead us to right decisions in the our walk together that I begin to cry tears of joy.

And from thereafter, I was grinning from ear to ear at my new 'status' - upcoming new bride in Autumn 2013 and praying that the preparations will allow us to begin our new life together in a meaningful, memorable and loving way!

A Foodie's Pilgrimage up north

 So what happens when you have a serious craving for 'original' Malaysian hawker food? You pack your stuff, grab your passport and hit the trail. Time for a road trip up north on the awesome NSE of course! Eat till you drop!!


After spending a brief sojourn in my lovely 'hometown' KL, we continued driving on a very sunny weekday all the way up past Perak, into Kedah and then finally Penang!

Entering Penang from the mainland (whether by the ferry or on the bridge) is always a thrill, as the beautiful island glitters in the bright sun beckoning all food lovers near and far. Aaaah, the beloved Pearl of the Orient. Does it still lives up to my memories of various food-trips to this city?

Amazingly, it does. Coming from places with utilitarian hawker food, Penang is a breath of fresh, cheap,cheap,cheap fresh air. Did I mention cheap? Ok, I shan't spoil market here as I know inflation hits hard everywhere but the price is kept at an ok pace despite the great ingredients used.


Now back to the food....

Penang great food No 1: Cnn Kway Chap.
We named this after the broadcasting network as apparently, news about this fabled dish has been reported on international news multiple times. We were very skeptical & reluctant as we feel 'innards and internal organs' are things we remove on daily basis in the theatre, not something to be munched on...

However, we were very pleasantly surprised at the wonderful balance of flavour. The fine nuance of spices in the meaty broth mixed with smooth kway chap ties with the next dish as the no 1 hawker food found in this trip. Even the 'organs' became elevated to some sort of creative delicacy akin to those found in top 'celebrity restaurants at MBS'. At 1/100th of the price.

The shop doesn't even have a name as the uncle cook from his stall which has a motorbike attached. All I know is that it is near Kimberley Street. I am sure the locals will point you to it if you ask.


Penang great food no 1: Char Koay Teow.

Now I was told : Once upon a time, there was a great food war brewing in Penang. The legend was that 2 brilliant CKT artisans set up shop within close vicinity to each other..there was indeed great rivalry for CKT greatness. Eventually, one of them lost the war and the person moved out. Presently, the stalls are situated quite apart from each other.

Due to some unknown reasons, we found this goggle-auntie CKT at Lorong Selamat before we could visit her other great competitor Ah Leng CKT and we were instantly hooked. YY reached culinary paradise. I was smitted again as I remembered that I tried the food from this stall a few years ago. It still taste the same..equally wonderful with large fresh crunchy prawns and that 'wok hei' that is thoroughly missing in all SG street food. The most interesting selling point of this stall must be the stylish old auntie with communist red beret and curt manners. Service is minimal but food is awesome. We are still hooked. Food-dreams are made of this...

Penang great food no 3: Nyonya food.

Due to the tie for no 1, this wonderful gourmet wonder was bumped to number 3. I think it's slightly unfair because the whole meal was graded (as compared to the single stand-alone dish previously)....I couldn't decide between all the dish served at this Nyonya place at Quayside by Seri Tanjung Pinang. IMHO, 2 dish: Fish Belanda with fried fish that was fresh and crunchy and jiu hu char - a shredded cuttlefish dish that was unforgettable. This place was humming with happy diners on a Sunday night as we stuff ourselves crazy....

Penang great food no 4: Various Western restaurant throughout the island

Now, Penangites are really blessed. Not only there are wonderfully balmy & clean beach that they can escape to easily on weekends (even Langkawi is just a stone's throw away)...the range of international cuisine is of very high standard at much cheaper prices than the other 2 'Strait's Settlements' as well!

One of my perennial favourite is this place called David Brown's at Strawberry Hill atop Penang Hill. Part of the allure goes to the breath-taking scenery and well-manicured garden. Next and most importantly, I have to give credit to the food served too. The trout was very good - fresh, well-cooked, savoury and simply scrumptious. As we dined al fresco, birds and butterflies drifted past us on this lazy, hot Saturday afternoon made bearable on top of the 2000ft high Penang Hill. Not too bad eh?

To be continued.....

A Brother's Love - My first liver transplant

The first time I met Mr E in National University Hospital was on the day before he would take the biggest risk of his life. I was struck by this friendly and cheerful giant. At over 180m tall and more than 100 kg, he clearly towered over me, the unsuspecting tiny surgical registrar. I noticed how much he engaged himself in the conversation as my consultant surgeon explained to him again about the entire procedure, never mincing a single word on how things could go triumphantly right..or even tragically wrong.
 

            He is one of the healthiest person in the room and we have to be absolutely certain that it. After all, we have subjected him to almost every single laboratory tests and imaging modalities available in this medical centre on a young person who would never need it under normal circumstances. However, Mr E is not a normal person..in fact, he puts all of us to shame for doing something remarkable for his brother. He is giving up more than 70% of his liver although he absolutely doesn’t need to do so. All for the love of his youngest brother, Mr A who could die if he doesn’t get a liver soon.

            What drives a person to this kind of sacrifice? As I prepared myself mentally and physically for the exciting yet arduous task of a living donor liver transplantation on a beautiful quiet Saturday morning in NUH, I asked myself whether I could have done the same for my siblings or loved ones. Why are doctors willing to help be part of this big risk? Why are we not saving more lives this way? Why?

            No choice. There is simply no choice for people like E and his brother. I can only think of these 2 words. Between life and death, they decide to seek life. They travelled all the way from Middle East to Singapore in order to seek the best that liver surgeons, hepatologist, radiologist immunologist, etc could offer.

If only more people step up and say, “I am willing to be an organ donor shall I perish and I am suitable to be one” or “Please doctor, my loved one may be dying, but I want his death to be life for many others”. In dying, we can find life but why are people so unwilling to do so. As many of us search for answers and dwindle on longer and longer based on indecisiveness and fear, courageous people like Mr E and many others embark on this path less travelled – living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A path fraught with legal red-tapes, financial constraints, personal sacrifices and even death for both donor and recipient. It's never a path taken lightly or without due consideration.

Organ transplantation is not new in this region. In fact, Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) has been around for at least 2 decades in Singapore but the numbers of transplantation has been dwindling abysmally over the years. The amount of liver transplants done in this country this year is woeful and augurs poorly for the future. We have less than 10 cadaveric transplantation cases countrywide this year, which was the bread and butter of transplantation surgery.

 As a result, most of the transplants had been the extremely high risk LDLT. This is in comparison to some other Asian centres, like Korea and Japan where it can be an average of 350 cases per hospital per year. This means that there is at least one transplant going on in the operating theatres each day, every single year in these hospitals.

 The saddest part for me is that many people hesitate to donate organs of their dying loved ones due to many reasons. My head spins when I hear of many creative, incredulous reasons why a person in intensive care cannot donate their organ. There are no logical, moral, religious and logistics reasons not to donate organs in this country. My summary of all the excuses so far are captured in 2 adjectives: unwillingness and ignorance.

Every case of transplantation is an exciting journey upon itself but not every transplantation stories have happy endings. They almost never receive the publicity or fanfare they deserve. During my first experience with a liver transplant surgery, my heart was beating in joy and humility for what I was about to experience – it’s literally sharing the gift of life from one person to another. In my little mind, it was one of the best, jaw-dropping, awe-inducing demonstration of surgical knowledge, dexterity & skills, inter-disciplinary teamwork, medical camaraderie and top-notched, dedicated support staff.

This act enables someone who was constantly ill and dying and transforms them into a real human again. They will no longer be dependent on machines and doctors for long term. Although each recipient may face an armamentarium of medicine in the beginning, they will soon be weaned down to one or two maintenance medications and minimal follow-ups with doctors.

 

What are the highest achievements of a civilization? What is the marker of a successful, egalitarian society? It’s when we stop looking inward and start to look at the common good. It’s when we see our struggling, suffering comrades and in love, extend a helping hand. We must continue to support the transplantation program in this country before it becomes a dying art, a fossil, a relic of past glory.

 

As of today, Mr A is still resting in intensive care while Mr E is carefully nursed in another high dependency unit. We pray that these 2 young people will recover soon and return heroically to their country within 1 or 2 months.