tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57672923238216638172024-03-13T15:51:21.025-07:00A Walk Of A Man To BeLim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-72363252831202009912016-07-26T06:32:00.000-07:002016-07-26T06:32:10.971-07:00End of The Line<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 years ago, I boarded this freight train that took me on a ride of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On this journey, I've met countless people who has inspired, motivated and influenced me in one way or another. Of note, fellow travellers who partook in this journey with me, scaling unknown heights, achieving the unachievable and defying the norm.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Medical cadets of Intake 2010</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Together we are creating history. We are at the forefront, spearheading the birth of a whole new generation of medical doctors. A generation of doctors fully trained in the aspects of medicine and military. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been quite a journey, a long bumpy ride but fascinating nonetheless. This particular ride has only one stop and the stop is coming up fast! All the years of studies and preparation comes down to this last one stop, the end of the line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And what happens after depends on these last 13 days. Pray to all the Gods out there, pray for strength, discipline and the clarity of mind for us to focus and consolidate all we have learnt and face the Final Professional Exam. Pray that we not only excel but excel phenomenally!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the best my friends!</span></div>
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<br />Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-58280220900805090992015-09-17T07:11:00.000-07:002015-09-17T08:46:42.670-07:00God is Watching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eAYS_hbTTI/VfqLTuHWnKI/AAAAAAAACv8/xZRkwLHwscQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eAYS_hbTTI/VfqLTuHWnKI/AAAAAAAACv8/xZRkwLHwscQ/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">High up in the mountains, a vast forest of pine trees and the occasional horse feces found me camping by a gushing angry river with freezing cold waters coming from a melting glacier.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bcnbiNEGr0I/VfqRsMNp6lI/AAAAAAAACwU/3eEx-ymCsuI/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bcnbiNEGr0I/VfqRsMNp6lI/AAAAAAAACwU/3eEx-ymCsuI/s640/IMG_0111.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the sun set after a long, long day, I sat at a pre-identified spot to photograph the stars as they slowly lighted up the sky. The spot was on a bridge spanning across the river where I could photograph the milky way over the gushing river.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuo3Muz-UdA/VfqLT1f331I/AAAAAAAACwI/ZZwO2VzR9x0/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuo3Muz-UdA/VfqLT1f331I/AAAAAAAACwI/ZZwO2VzR9x0/s640/Untitled-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To call that particular bridge is the overstatement of the year, if not the century. The bridge was nothing more than a piece of old withered flimsy log placed carelessly across the river. Walking across the "bridge", one can experience first hand the movement of the tan, sin & cos wave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so, on that very bridge I sat with my camera attached on a tripod as the darkness of the night slowly enveloped me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know how the wind blows up in the mountains? Bitter cold wind comes in sudden strong gusts buffeting you left and right. Hence, I was dressed in multiple layers of warm clothing to keep warm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truly enjoying myself, I photographed absolute beauty and I remember thinking: "I wouldn't mind doing this for the rest of my life." And it was at that very exact moment, an enormous gust of wind came blowing, buffeting me and wobbling the "bridge".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in front of my very eyes, my camera together with the tripod fell right into the river!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was stunned for 1.342 seconds and when I recovered I immediately used my torch to pierce the absolute darkness, trying to at least catch a glimpse of my camera in the rolling and gushing river. And by some miracle, I saw it floating not 10m from where I stood. At that moment I knew I had only 2 choices, to jump in the river or to bloody jump in. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxqJg-2Uspc/Vfq26Iu2pmI/AAAAAAAACwk/sLw1jwATxSU/s1600/IMG_5755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxqJg-2Uspc/Vfq26Iu2pmI/AAAAAAAACwk/sLw1jwATxSU/s640/IMG_5755.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The million of stars hanging out in the sky that night were surprised to see a guy dressed in layers of thick clothing suddenly plunging into a freezing mountain river in the black of the night. But with all the crazy things the stars have seen humans do, they probably didn't think much of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The moment I jumped into the river, the layers of clothing absorbed so much water that the weight dragged me underwater for a moment. It took all my strength accumulated since birth, to bring my head to the surface and stay afloat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The short moment I was underwater was enough to disorientate me. Using the North Star to reorientate myself, I started my search for the camera. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Banging into rocks and boulders as the current swept me down river, I used my torch to desperately try catch a glimpse of the camera. And lo and behold! I suddenly saw it washed against some rocks not far from me. Using the light from my torch to illuminate the direction I had to head to, I swam toward the camera as if a crocodile was after me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst time possible." And so it was at that moment my torch that is waterproof and shockproof decided to be neither. Thus, in pitch blackness I swam in the direction of the rocks and blindly stretched out my hand....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The feeling of bliss and relief when my hand closed around the leg of the tripod is indescribable. I myself couldn't believe that I actually manage to get back my camera. The way I felt then is probably best summarise with the following picture:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-832WBiGWnhs/VfrAHPFRqUI/AAAAAAAACw0/Y0f2hIrsaHo/s1600/IMG_9003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-832WBiGWnhs/VfrAHPFRqUI/AAAAAAAACw0/Y0f2hIrsaHo/s640/IMG_9003.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So swimming one hand against the current, I manage to get back to the shore and fell down totally exhausted. Lying on the shore, freezing my butt off and bruised all over my body, it occurred to me that it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do jumping into the freezing river in the middle of the night all for the sake of a camera.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJgGVGqq1oY/VfrCiW58-yI/AAAAAAAACxA/YASXupF83EE/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJgGVGqq1oY/VfrCiW58-yI/AAAAAAAACxA/YASXupF83EE/s640/Untitled-3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the years of my life, I've done a fair share of stupid things, things that wouldn't be done if I actually stopped and think for a moment. My name "Shimri" means God is watching. I think that the only reason I manage to survive thus far is because God is watching over me and I'm pretty sure he is entertained over the years by my various stupid antics.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zmD8a_WZZk/VfrFWrZdQxI/AAAAAAAACxM/X24NW7t4sls/s1600/IMG_9216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zmD8a_WZZk/VfrFWrZdQxI/AAAAAAAACxM/X24NW7t4sls/s640/IMG_9216.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not surprisingly, my camera is not working anymore after its swim in the river. Tried immersing it in uncooked rice when I came down the mountains. A</span><span style="font-size: large;">fter a week of immersing it in uncooked rice, </span><span style="font-size: large;">it managed to revive the camera but it went kaput after a while. Thus bringing my journey in photography to a temporary halt. The good thing is that I bought insurance for the camera so I'll be getting a replacement soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So till then.. :)</span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-14011652293734989902015-09-15T03:41:00.002-07:002015-09-17T01:04:43.909-07:00The Pilgrimage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3njKViGFzsI/VexMoqACUcI/AAAAAAAACr8/CTLmX_rTZFg/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-09-05%2Bat%2B14.55.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="329" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3njKViGFzsI/VexMoqACUcI/AAAAAAAACr8/CTLmX_rTZFg/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-09-05%2Bat%2B14.55.12.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two months ago, I flew to the north of India for my elective posting in Apex Hospital Pvt Ltd. W<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ith state of the art facilities and a wide array of specialties, Apex Hospital </span>was supposedly the best Hospital in Jaipur.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the following few weeks, I was attached to the orthopedics department with the privilege of observing the many orthopedics problem which plague the Indian population. The cases seen were more or less similar to the ones seen in Malaysian with the only difference being that diseases that are almost eradicated and rarely seen in Malaysia are still very at large in India. For instance, tuberculosis (TB). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Such a vast amount of the population is infected that various presentations are seen instead of the normal pulmonary symptoms. Poor management and even poorer compliance has resulted in the birth of a strain of the bacteria known as the Totally Drug-Resistance TB which makes treatment of TB an enormous hassle.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYIkFelWeFg/VfaaXyfxxJI/AAAAAAAACsk/xJxUbrOsvVM/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYIkFelWeFg/VfaaXyfxxJI/AAAAAAAACsk/xJxUbrOsvVM/s640/IMG_1240.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my time was spent either shadowing the doctors or assisting in the Operating Theatre. With my vast vocabulary of Hindi and an even vaster English vocabulary of majority of the patients, communication between the patients and me involved many blank stares and confuse expressions. With all the hindi being spoken, it did feel a little like in a Bollywood movie. At times, I half expected everyone to drop everything and start dancing and singing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of all the cases I saw in India, one that really left an impression was this particular case:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ9bUCaDVp4/VfagymM663I/AAAAAAAACs0/hFBznkZZeVM/s1600/IMG_1308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ9bUCaDVp4/VfagymM663I/AAAAAAAACs0/hFBznkZZeVM/s640/IMG_1308.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An elderly Indian woman came to the emergency department with a grossly distended abdomen. The swelling has been there for almost 2 weeks and 1 day ago she developed severe debilitating pain in the abdomen. The pain was so severe that she couldn't eat and drink nor could she defecate or pass flatus. She even had trouble breathing and moving without feeling crippling pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a series of investigations, the doctors diagnosed her with a strangulated umbilical hernia. Which means part of her intestines or in this case a large part of her intestines has protruded through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles and has been strangulated by the small opening causing the intestines to necrose and decay. If you notice the dark patches on her abdomen, those are signs that the intestines have started to turn gangrene. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in Malaysia, this situation would have been an emergency! The patient would have been sent with all haste to the operating theatre and an emergency surgery would have been done to try save the patient's life. The patient wouldn't have survived the night without the surgery and even with the surgery, the patient only had a 50% survival rate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what happened was after the doctors explained the situation to the patient and the family members and strongly advised for an immediate surgery, the family members decided to hold an annual grand meeting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So after the minutes of the previous annual grand meeting was read and the proper greetings were given, the debate on the best course of action to take started. And after hours and hours of debating they finally came up with a verdict...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They decided not to do the surgery and instead wanted to seek for alternative medicine or more specifically they wanted to bring the patient for a pilgrimage in hopes that God or some other higher power would grant them mercy and heal the patient. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that did not make sense to me at all! I mean, the pathology of her condition is crystal clear and the treatment even clearer. Why would one decided not to do the surgery and put one's life in the hands of some unknown deity??</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was extremely curious at what this pilgrimage was all about and wanted to see what kind of pilgrimage was this where terminally ill patients would rather go for the pilgrimage than seek proper treatment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I asked around and got to know that the pilgrimage was to a Holy Lake high up in the mountains found extremely north of India. And thus I packed my bags and headed north, extremely north.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bdnLB9OK18/Vfa8bhh82sI/AAAAAAAACtA/NyHqsa1izJM/s1600/IMG_1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bdnLB9OK18/Vfa8bhh82sI/AAAAAAAACtA/NyHqsa1izJM/s640/IMG_1600.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I rode buses when they were available, hitched hike when there was none. For days I travelled across unfamiliar lands, meeting people of foreign cultures and eating what I could carry in my bag. In this fashion, I arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Holy Lake was said to be found. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIKMABI3O-g/VfbA5KLSagI/AAAAAAAACtQ/4JxIrTqXObI/s1600/IMG_2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIKMABI3O-g/VfbA5KLSagI/AAAAAAAACtQ/4JxIrTqXObI/s640/IMG_2227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Braving the cold, the desolation and the exhaustion, I followed the footsteps of the strangulated hernia patient up the mountain. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nj0mKrxSHG0/VfbM_M6FajI/AAAAAAAACuU/Rrt4UxRXCoU/s1600/IMG_2086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nj0mKrxSHG0/VfbM_M6FajI/AAAAAAAACuU/Rrt4UxRXCoU/s640/IMG_2086.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carrying all my photography gear (camera, lenses, flash, light stands, soft box, umbrellas), tents, sleeping bags, warm clothing, books and food, my bag weighed at least 25kg. I kind of realised I over packed when the weight of my bag fractured both my clavicles, dislocated my shoulders and herniated my intervertebral disc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So lugging all that weight for days, I painstakingly made my way all the way to the Holy Lake, which was high up in the mountains where the air is thin and cold.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YigCagaxbPE/VfbPbc0A9vI/AAAAAAAACug/cdxagAMvC-g/s1600/IMG_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YigCagaxbPE/VfbPbc0A9vI/AAAAAAAACug/cdxagAMvC-g/s640/IMG_2268.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thing that strikes you the most when you arrive at this holy alpine lake is not the beauty, not the cold nor is it the exhaustion. Don't get me wrong; it is breathtakingly beautiful and freezing cold! But the thing that strikes you the most is the silence. A heavy cloud of silence, so quiet that you not only hear your every heartbeat but you hear right down to the cellular level. Every single ATP being produced by your mitochondria is clearly heard... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it was in this blanket of silence when I finally understood why the herniated patient chose to come for this pilgrimage instead of undergoing the surgery.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejcHvrB5e1Y/VfbWdab1ZWI/AAAAAAAACu4/tyMTjpo8qB8/s1600/IMG_2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejcHvrB5e1Y/VfbWdab1ZWI/AAAAAAAACu4/tyMTjpo8qB8/s640/IMG_2004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The destination itself wasn't the main point of the pilgrimage nor was getting healed any part of purpose of the trip. Instead the journey to the Holy Lake was what made the whole pilgrimage what it was. Many a days were spent walking high up in the mountains, above the clouds and living off the land. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They hunt with the mystical eagle hunters, drink from cold mountain springs and sleep under the stars. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aiZHa_h0qbg/Vffrtv_34iI/AAAAAAAACvc/bA0uRThOrIY/s1600/IMG_2422name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aiZHa_h0qbg/Vffrtv_34iI/AAAAAAAACvc/bA0uRThOrIY/s640/IMG_2422name.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And when they arrived at the Holy Lake, they can finally die in peace after savouring pristine unspoilt beauty of nature, the very best this world has to offer. And through this experience, they have truly lived at least once before they pass on from this world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What better way to leave this world?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjZNx3mW8QI/VfbEDwpwpGI/AAAAAAAACts/ZVdmMTGBF1o/s1600/IMG_2460newcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjZNx3mW8QI/VfbEDwpwpGI/AAAAAAAACts/ZVdmMTGBF1o/s640/IMG_2460newcrop.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">If I were terminally ill, I would make the same choice. I would rather travel one last time and witness unparalleled beauty instead of lying on the operating table with the probability of dying and the last thing I see would be the doctor's face.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klF-LqYRA6k/VfbWAJ3AVwI/AAAAAAAACu0/cF0ybuDHeIc/s1600/IMG_5736name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klF-LqYRA6k/VfbWAJ3AVwI/AAAAAAAACu0/cF0ybuDHeIc/s640/IMG_5736name.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What will your choice be?</span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-35842686823227030782014-09-16T03:49:00.000-07:002014-09-16T16:31:36.623-07:00Living with the Mentawai<span style="font-size: large;">Situated deep in the dense muddy jungles of Siberut island, a tribe of people known as the Mentawai is found surviving and thriving in the jungle. The Mentawai were once head-hunters, using poison arrows and long cruel looking knifes to go about their hunts.</span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiX9gBI6uMA/VBfCGOM4v2I/AAAAAAAACB8/J8sY1JFViHw/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiX9gBI6uMA/VBfCGOM4v2I/AAAAAAAACB8/J8sY1JFViHw/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, as modernisation and religion is slowly introduced, they have become more civilised and more accepting of outsiders but no less ferocious.</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmzHUbF4mWU/VBfCIDhn9CI/AAAAAAAACCM/8trUtAZXbdY/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmzHUbF4mWU/VBfCIDhn9CI/AAAAAAAACCM/8trUtAZXbdY/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Taking a 12 hour ferry ride from Padang, Indonesia to Siberut island and another 2 hour boat ride upriver into the jungles, one would arrive at a certain part of the jungle inhabited by the Mentawai people. </span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-pReqOXDsU/VBfC1I27W5I/AAAAAAAACGE/8amdKk15i_8/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-pReqOXDsU/VBfC1I27W5I/AAAAAAAACGE/8amdKk15i_8/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of forming settlements or villages and living together in the jungle, each Mentawai family consisting of the parents and children will build a wooden house and fend for themselves. The closest neighbour would be at least 45 minutes to an hour trek away. </span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Braving the hardships of the jungle, I stayed with the Mentawai people for a week learning their ways and observing their rituals. What I've seen and learnt has given me a totally new perspective of life and also answered a question I always had since I was a child.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Why did Tarzan learn to swing from the tree-tops?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer to that particular sophisticated question would be because the jungle floor is extremely muddy! I kid you not, I was practically swimming in waist-deep mud just to get from point A to point B. </span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having Sagu as their staple diet and the occasional meat, most of the children here suffer from Kwashiorkor disease (a form of malnutrition caused by inadequate protein). Children with distended bellies are seen running about looking like pregnant mothers.</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4am4ShfEf4/VBfBpoxr88I/AAAAAAAAB_c/1V_dialio0w/s1600/IMG_0933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4am4ShfEf4/VBfBpoxr88I/AAAAAAAAB_c/1V_dialio0w/s1600/IMG_0933.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once a fortnight, a <i>saina (</i>domesticated pig) would be slaughtered and dinner that night will be a grand affair! Although most of the Mentawai has been converted to either Islam or Christianity, forms of animal-worship can still be observed. Say for instance, during the slaughter of the saina.</span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxBaNpdPDZE/VBfBv6cq8MI/AAAAAAAACAE/dsuy91i8rkE/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxBaNpdPDZE/VBfBv6cq8MI/AAAAAAAACAE/dsuy91i8rkE/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before a knife is plunged into the neck of the <i>saina</i>, a ritual is done whereby the <i>saina</i> is blessed with a prayer chanted in Mentawai language and flowers stroking the head. Half way through the prayers, the <i>saina</i> is quickly stabbed and as its lifeblood flows out, the light in it's eyes fades..</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrEjoUb6hFg/VBfBxyveg8I/AAAAAAAACAM/adp-p0b3ZEc/s1600/IMG_1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrEjoUb6hFg/VBfBxyveg8I/AAAAAAAACAM/adp-p0b3ZEc/s1600/IMG_1028.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While waiting for the fire to start, the <i>saina</i> is gutted and the children went ecstatic waiting for the upcoming pork for dinner.</span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENiv1vh1rkU/VBfCDGEThbI/AAAAAAAACBw/1FJmbr4MWhs/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENiv1vh1rkU/VBfCDGEThbI/AAAAAAAACBw/1FJmbr4MWhs/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner was indeed a grand affair, or rather as grand as it could get in the jungle without electricity. Dinner was eaten with much gusto and many smiles which became broader as I gave out my portion of boiled pork seasoned with salt.</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K37qSChG-ek/VBfCIDz2SnI/AAAAAAAACCI/S_2mJKptYVY/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K37qSChG-ek/VBfCIDz2SnI/AAAAAAAACCI/S_2mJKptYVY/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through a translator, I asked one of the Mentawai father if given a chance, would he uproot his family, leave the hardships of the jungle and move to a city. He blatantly said no! "The forest has provided for his father, his father's father and will continue to provide for his sons and generations to come. They know every tree, every rock and every vine. Food, medicine and materials can all be procured in the jungle for free. Why leave the beautiful jungle and go to a city where everything is controlled by money..." he passionately said in Mentawai language. </span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before it was translated, I already knew the answer just by seeing the fierce proud gleam in his eyes as he described the jungle and also by observing the tender lovingness in the gestures he made to emphasise that the jungle is part of his family just as much as it is part of him. That is what that defines him and makes him a Mentawai!</span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zAqa_P7B_o/VBfCpdyCtSI/AAAAAAAACE8/gPWcKLMA45U/s1600/IMG_1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zAqa_P7B_o/VBfCpdyCtSI/AAAAAAAACE8/gPWcKLMA45U/s1600/IMG_1940.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></div>
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Yours truly,<br>
Shimri<br>
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<br>Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-60776504780148255832014-08-12T07:42:00.001-07:002014-08-12T07:42:23.632-07:00Thought for a Rainy Day<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> -Matthew 11:28-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently completed a trek across the mountains of Kashmir known as Markha Valley Trek. The trek was nearly 90km long with passes of 5200m above sea level. We walked for days carrying our bloody heavy backpacks through freezing cold and scorching heat.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWIeD7tWt28/U-oZd13xAUI/AAAAAAAAB8s/lSllQXOpBTY/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWIeD7tWt28/U-oZd13xAUI/AAAAAAAAB8s/lSllQXOpBTY/s1600/24.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reaching a village where one can have a simple cup of water to quench our paper-dry throats and a place to rest our weary legs is like finding an oasis in the wilderness, a temporary respite from the sufferings of the trail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The extreme relief and gratefulness one feels upon given rest after being weary and burdened is indescribable. It is tantamount to........ I don't know, nothing? Words can't describe the feeling. One just feels at peace, sheltered and safe albeit only for a moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a fascinating thought though:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is finding religion similar to being given rest when one is weary and burdened?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1D7C_L3obc/U-omdN0_SuI/AAAAAAAAB9I/8wPBiftQ-e8/s1600/IMG_7675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1D7C_L3obc/U-omdN0_SuI/AAAAAAAAB9I/8wPBiftQ-e8/s1600/IMG_7675.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all the sins and evil in the world, an unbeliever stumbles upon religion and finds peace and serenity. He is at peace knowing there is some higher power at work and there is a better place somewhere when all is done. So he prays with a joyful heart and worship fervently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or, is religion more of a blind leap of faith?</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqEgfypEigw/U-okUo9KqHI/AAAAAAAAB88/Cy1plElXVAM/s1600/IMG_8112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqEgfypEigw/U-okUo9KqHI/AAAAAAAAB88/Cy1plElXVAM/s1600/IMG_8112.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We do what we are told because some ancient man told us many thousand years ago to do this and to that. Hence, we robotically do what ever we are told, blindly but with faith that we are doing the right thing. We feel no joy, no tranquility, no nothing. The only thing we feel is perhaps a small sense of achievement at fulfilling our responsibility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or, is religion some horse-crap after all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just an excuse for wars and genocides. Something created to divide mankind and to allow them fight one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer? I don't know. You tell me....</span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-30786361515355826602014-06-06T03:50:00.000-07:002014-06-06T18:24:54.216-07:00All Dogs Go To Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3eg7OLl6Pk/U5CBSypc1cI/AAAAAAAABsQ/-p9ZQOD_I7I/s1600/Landscape_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3eg7OLl6Pk/U5CBSypc1cI/AAAAAAAABsQ/-p9ZQOD_I7I/s1600/Landscape_02.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was 12, I had a dog named Blacky that I absolutely adored. She had a jet black coat of short fur, pointed ears, lean tone muscles and snow white feet. I fed and sheltered her despite protests from my mum who feared dogs. I remember stealing slices of ham and chunks of chicken from the fridge to feed her as often as I could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I even brought Blacky on my daily evening runs where we would terrorize the neighborhood cats. We worked out this system whereby I'd spot the slunking cats then pointing in that direction I'd shout: " GO GO GO GO!!" Blacky would then start barking and charging enthusiastically in the direction I was pointing regardless if she saw a cat or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The poor innocent cat seeing a crazy barking dog charging in it's direction will flee trying to escape revealing it's position. This is the moment Blacky would be waiting for. She would run even faster chasing after the cat and nipping it at its heels. The cat would be chased up a tree or somewhere inaccessible then Blacky would come trotting proudly back to me with her head held high, tail wagging so fast she looked like she had 9 tails. These were the moments she lived for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, on days I couldn't bring her cat chasing, she would become restless, chasing anything or anyone passing my house. This posed a threat and danger to the public so long story short, my dog was shot by the Malacca City Council in front of my eyes. I was devastated by the death of my dog and hated dog-catchers passionately! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0lGlNEmkU/U5CBStEt3hI/AAAAAAAABsM/_qUTCRbYODA/s1600/Landscape_03%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0lGlNEmkU/U5CBStEt3hI/AAAAAAAABsM/_qUTCRbYODA/s1600/Landscape_03%25281%2529.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The scene of my dog being shot replayed in my head for many years</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The year 3 medical cadets of UPNM recently started our Community Medicine posting. My group was attached to the Pest Control Department of Kuala Lumpur City Council. One of the many jobs of the Pest Control Department is dog-catching. Thus, we tagged along a team of dog-catchers to round up stray dog in Kuala Lumpur area. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The Kuala Lumpur City Council uses the looping method to catch dogs. A few men armed with long iron poles that has a loop of rope at one end will corner the dog and try to loop the dog around the neck. It is like a lasso but with a iron pole instead.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2f12T05Cow/U5GM-iCz-LI/AAAAAAAABsg/TH-Y2py0wf8/s1600/Landscape_04(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2f12T05Cow/U5GM-iCz-LI/AAAAAAAABsg/TH-Y2py0wf8/s1600/Landscape_04(1).jpg" height="294" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Driving around Kuala Lumpur in vans, the dog-catchers start their hunt for dogs.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GrWt_QCq8Q/U5GORD3Hd2I/AAAAAAAABss/04ALksix5ag/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GrWt_QCq8Q/U5GORD3Hd2I/AAAAAAAABss/04ALksix5ag/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once a group of stray dogs is spotted, the hunt begins! The dog-catchers will alight the van at different locations surrounding the dogs. Once everybody is in position, they will then systematically close in and capture the dogs. At least that is what the plan is..</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stray dogs are no fools I can tell you that. Throughout the years, they have learn to look out for the coming of the dog-catchers. I don't know if they memorised the smells of the dog-catchers or they watch out for men carrying sticks or maybe they recognise the van's engine frequency. But once a dog spots these dog-catchers, a long howl is heard: "AAAWOOOOOOOO!" And as if that was the warning call, all the dogs would suddenly start running in all direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dog-catchers will then choose one dog and chase after it. If the dog is lucky, it gets away. Else the poor thing would be caught and compounded.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0OqYspncpI/U5B6CLzhVMI/AAAAAAAABrk/YqDwd9X5wZ8/s1600/IMG_5078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0OqYspncpI/U5B6CLzhVMI/AAAAAAAABrk/YqDwd9X5wZ8/s1600/IMG_5078.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But with so many men chasing down one dog, capture is most of the time inevitable.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ApPjqVLJnM/U5B6CehyFfI/AAAAAAAABro/5Ph3-CNEHVY/s1600/IMG_5031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ApPjqVLJnM/U5B6CehyFfI/AAAAAAAABro/5Ph3-CNEHVY/s1600/IMG_5031.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The captured dogs will then be brought back to the dog compound where they'll be kept for a week to see if anybody comes and so call "bail" them out. If no one comes, the dog would then be put up for adoption for 3 days. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgfT1ndlunc/U5B5KsQnP2I/AAAAAAAABp4/acfZB33Ri3I/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgfT1ndlunc/U5B5KsQnP2I/AAAAAAAABp4/acfZB33Ri3I/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After 3 days, if no one adopts the dog, the dog will be put down in the most humane way possible that ensures the dog dies without any suffering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carcass will then be incinerated with temperatures of 850ËšC leaving only ashes to be buried.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVlfUMhQTok/U5B47vgYIRI/AAAAAAAABpQ/z4BTxFbx4no/s1600/IMG_4710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVlfUMhQTok/U5B47vgYIRI/AAAAAAAABpQ/z4BTxFbx4no/s1600/IMG_4710.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeLOPX9x790/U5B483qAcLI/AAAAAAAABpY/vWq7xbFLe2Y/s1600/IMG_4691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeLOPX9x790/U5B483qAcLI/AAAAAAAABpY/vWq7xbFLe2Y/s1600/IMG_4691.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the captured dogs won't be reclaimed and will eventually face death and I think the dogs realise it too. You can see it in the way the dogs react when people approach their cage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some look at you with the most adorable eyes, pleading to be adopted!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KpEMvdBXtc/U5B5StcieXI/AAAAAAAABqA/tDoj3JSxHbs/s1600/IMG_4895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KpEMvdBXtc/U5B5StcieXI/AAAAAAAABqA/tDoj3JSxHbs/s1600/IMG_4895.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some start barking and howling: "Let me ooouuut"!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWCq7jqXXZQ/U5B5dX5iy3I/AAAAAAAABqY/2zSbMk3T45s/s1600/IMG_4908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWCq7jqXXZQ/U5B5dX5iy3I/AAAAAAAABqY/2zSbMk3T45s/s1600/IMG_4908.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Others snap and snarl, determine not to beg for mercy and would rather die with pride.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjbzZMyECW4/U5B5Xoy9bqI/AAAAAAAABqQ/46JnUre63Mo/s1600/IMG_4886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjbzZMyECW4/U5B5Xoy9bqI/AAAAAAAABqQ/46JnUre63Mo/s1600/IMG_4886.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there are some that will undergo transformation as people approach their cage. They literally transform to a devil, eyes flashing green, teeth bared and hackles all raised up. The message is clear: If I'm going to die, you are going to die too.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xr_e7YxDko/U5B5phqtgXI/AAAAAAAABqw/Bw6oV-nv5YA/s1600/IMG_4932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xr_e7YxDko/U5B5phqtgXI/AAAAAAAABqw/Bw6oV-nv5YA/s1600/IMG_4932.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know it looks cruel killing all these stray dogs, I too initially thought so. How dare these bloody bastards kill my dog?!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the definition of health is the state of complete physical, social and mental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These uncared and uncontrolled stray dogs cause lots of social problem. Damaging property, threatening safety of the public and can even spread diseases. These stray dogs make people anxious and worried all the time and even cause many a sleepiness nights due to the barking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, to ensure a city is clean, healthy and suitable for human habitation, you now see why rounding up all these stray dogs are essential?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If and only if the definition of health included political well-being.... rounding up corrupted politicians would have been so much more satisfying. </span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-87158153167861257612014-06-01T08:07:00.003-07:002014-06-02T07:26:55.938-07:00Our 4th Anniversary<span style="font-size: large;">I know I am more than a few days late but anyway, 22nd May 2014 marks the 4th year since I reported to the National Defence University of Malaysia to pursue my Medical degree. In conjunction with this special date, here is a poem I wrote to celebrate and also to commemorate our journey together thus far. No offence is meant and if I do somehow offend you, my sincerest apology is offered in advance. So, here goes my so called "poem":</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>University Pertahanan National Malaysia is my university,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>we go by the motto of duty, honour and integrity.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Similar to any institution of credibility,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>we have our moments of pride and also ignominy.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The latter is none other than our famous Rid Tee.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Disorientated as he might be,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>please do not call him a bloody babi,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>for it is a great insult to the swine community.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPcED0m0TRM/U4iOAHjAlII/AAAAAAAABoY/zdWbSBpUHX4/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPcED0m0TRM/U4iOAHjAlII/AAAAAAAABoY/zdWbSBpUHX4/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Throughout these 4 long years,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>sweat, blood and tears has become no stranger.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Extreme suffering of the body has somehow become meagre,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>we all have become a little stronger.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFZY2DGFewQ/U4iQJKblAbI/AAAAAAAABoY/Lg1XsUg_vfg/s1600/IMG_3969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFZY2DGFewQ/U4iQJKblAbI/AAAAAAAABoY/Lg1XsUg_vfg/s1600/IMG_3969.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tough and stressful it might be, joy and laughter do happen occasionally.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And it usually comes after a nice steaming bowl of mee curry.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Annoying patients out of their sufferings are what we do best.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To the extent where patients even shout: "Just let me bloody rest!"</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPR7xBg-uug/U3DJ0XJ1laI/AAAAAAAABmc/9JAKDIPmNmo/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPR7xBg-uug/U3DJ0XJ1laI/AAAAAAAABmc/9JAKDIPmNmo/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Many a night are spend in the hospital,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>with nothing to sustain us but apples,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>in hopes of gaining knowledge that dazzles.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpdmUmmOjkE/U3DJjJunw6I/AAAAAAAABmU/OAHhcjLHsSQ/s1600/IMG_3080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpdmUmmOjkE/U3DJjJunw6I/AAAAAAAABmU/OAHhcjLHsSQ/s1600/IMG_3080.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The true meaning of unity is found in the army,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>not some "1-Malaysia" slogan which rings empty.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0h7l1rjblA/U3C-6mI-xqI/AAAAAAAABkU/F317S8aRKAk/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0h7l1rjblA/U3C-6mI-xqI/AAAAAAAABkU/F317S8aRKAk/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I know our walk to be a doctor is not easy,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Pray we'll have the strength to finish the journey completely.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sx4ec1eC1Ko/U3C9dth9CyI/AAAAAAAABkA/Ur3gfcYxI4I/s1600/IMG_1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sx4ec1eC1Ko/U3C9dth9CyI/AAAAAAAABkA/Ur3gfcYxI4I/s1600/IMG_1423.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Pray also we will one day be generals full of competency,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>planning and improving the Medical Corps properly.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3F2rsLErak/U4iY7C3ciHI/AAAAAAAABoY/0DgrBRhF57g/s1600/IMG_3573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3F2rsLErak/U4iY7C3ciHI/AAAAAAAABoY/0DgrBRhF57g/s1600/IMG_3573.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lastly, I hereby present you with Intake 2010 Medical Cadets of the National Defence University of Malaysia.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-The End-</span></div>
Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-77128864491800545832014-04-22T00:49:00.001-07:002014-04-22T07:50:58.075-07:00A trip out to Sea<span style="font-size: large;">During the Golden Era of Melaka, the muddy waters of the Straits of Melaka was not only teeming with merchants ships but located just beneath the surface, abundant schools of fishes of all kind roamed freely and happily.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm2BSWcchi8/U1Wy5-7NYbI/AAAAAAAABiU/QMHiCqrk6ZI/s1600/IMG_3647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm2BSWcchi8/U1Wy5-7NYbI/AAAAAAAABiU/QMHiCqrk6ZI/s1600/IMG_3647.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Numbering in thousands and millions, the fishes seemed infinite in numbers, allowing a booming fishing business. Fishermen strutted proudly around the dock, occasionally throwing a proud glance at their fleet of fishing boats that made the navy green with envy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, fast forward a few years and we come to present day Melaka. An obvious decline is seen due to incompetent and corrupted leaders. Lousy leaders isn't my topic of the day though, but rather he is:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0a-ooGGxziQ/U1U58ZbJO_I/AAAAAAAABhE/44VQX9mptSk/s1600/IMG_1944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0a-ooGGxziQ/U1U58ZbJO_I/AAAAAAAABhE/44VQX9mptSk/s1600/IMG_1944.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Pak Cik Awi, a 47-year old fisherman who has been fishing in the Straits of Melaka the past 11 years. He's a father of 4 children and works his butt off to provide for his family. Every morning, as soon as the tide is in, he goes out to sea in his tiny little <i>sampan</i> hoping to return with a boat full of fishes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsClO4Fa9EQ/U1Xxtkn-vBI/AAAAAAAABik/-LhW9vvktzc/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsClO4Fa9EQ/U1Xxtkn-vBI/AAAAAAAABik/-LhW9vvktzc/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the opposite is usually true. After spending hours under the scorching sun, casting and retrieving his fishing nets, he gets nothing but dead leaves, rubbish,</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrQo56j8X9w/U1U7s4EBqcI/AAAAAAAABho/TuBsgbHLgkU/s1600/IMG_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrQo56j8X9w/U1U7s4EBqcI/AAAAAAAABho/TuBsgbHLgkU/s1600/IMG_1921.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and also miserable tiny fishes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIoQOgaVMiM/U1U7rrEuZBI/AAAAAAAABhg/W-_aZnmFWgE/s1600/IMG_1815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIoQOgaVMiM/U1U7rrEuZBI/AAAAAAAABhg/W-_aZnmFWgE/s1600/IMG_1815.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long gone are the days where every cast ends up with a full boat of flipping and jumping fishes. With all the land reclamation process going on in the Straits of Melaka, the once infinite fishes has become finite, even bordering upon extinction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Determined not to return home empty handed, Pak Cik Awi ignores his aching back and sore hands, feverishly casting and retrieving his net, hoping and praying to at least catch a fish that is worth something. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6URgQSyYjJg/U1U59if8R8I/AAAAAAAABhM/CP7Du5soC3k/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6URgQSyYjJg/U1U59if8R8I/AAAAAAAABhM/CP7Du5soC3k/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortune must have been smiling upon Pak Cik Awi that day, for after long last, his patience and hardwork finally paid off. The treasure every fisherman in the Straits of Melaka is hoping to catch is the Pomfret fish (ikan bawal). Selling at RM 60 per kilogram, catching a few of these fishes would have been worth all the hardwork at sea.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yF-jAKN2JHI/U1X_tI1BuTI/AAAAAAAABi0/fEb8ItzX3ls/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yF-jAKN2JHI/U1X_tI1BuTI/AAAAAAAABi0/fEb8ItzX3ls/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, Pak Cik Awi didn't catch a few but at least he manage to get one before he had to return to mainland as the tide was going down rapidly. Now his family doesn't have to go hungry for that night plus he can afford to buy petrol for the next trip out to sea. Real fortunate huh?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ekUT1ClD9Xw/U1YGh8DnPsI/AAAAAAAABjE/okFeoghk3iU/s1600/IMG_1740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ekUT1ClD9Xw/U1YGh8DnPsI/AAAAAAAABjE/okFeoghk3iU/s1600/IMG_1740.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what happened to the former glory of the fishermen? How did it come to this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-87311968964497810632014-03-10T03:55:00.000-07:002014-03-10T16:47:51.887-07:00My 2 Cents<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being in an environment where the mind is believed to be in total control of the body, I've seen various occasions where extreme feats of greatness are achieved through pure will power alone.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7j3ef8dnb8/UxyRXJIjGTI/AAAAAAAABfA/ATbJx0YCqrg/s1600/919245_372534266190900_1269707212_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7j3ef8dnb8/UxyRXJIjGTI/AAAAAAAABfA/ATbJx0YCqrg/s1600/919245_372534266190900_1269707212_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credits to Pet S. Salvador</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be it mentally or physically, anything, even perfection can be achieved with the right amount of determination. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FITaZmnXLg4/Ux0-aePZySI/AAAAAAAABfk/FB3eC_nAB-Y/s1600/IMG_9605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FITaZmnXLg4/Ux0-aePZySI/AAAAAAAABfk/FB3eC_nAB-Y/s1600/IMG_9605.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After years of disciplining and training our bodies, through pain and sweat, a bond is formed between our bodies and us. The body becomes a trusted companion, something we rely on, trusted to never fail us. The body and us against the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At least that was what I believed until I was posted to the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here in the hospital, <span style="text-align: left;">the ultimate betrayal is witnessed many times over. The betrayal of the body. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2amuytdTAY8/Ux1vCYPw2xI/AAAAAAAABf0/lC9VHaruSqI/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2amuytdTAY8/Ux1vCYPw2xI/AAAAAAAABf0/lC9VHaruSqI/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_04.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The body you thought would be there with you till the very end suddenly decides to turn against you, growing something sinister, something that eats you up from within, something that renders you paralysed for the rest of your life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So much for mind over body huh? How can that tumour be controlled with sheer determination? That damn infection running through your nervous system halted with will power?</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHVyH8oO16g/Ux13tsveroI/AAAAAAAABgM/5y2gRkfsPZU/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHVyH8oO16g/Ux13tsveroI/AAAAAAAABgM/5y2gRkfsPZU/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_05.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know the moment when one learns he/she has only a few more months to live? It is heart-breaking. Extremely so. Coming from one who doesn't usually like to express feelings, you can trust me on that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">There are many reactions upon reception of the bad news. Some burst out laughing, hoping with every fibre in their body that the doctor is playing an April fool joke. Slowly, as they realised it isn't April yet, the tears starts flowing amidst the </span>laughter. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV-5wNlWlbk/Ux1vcGyv2TI/AAAAAAAABgA/1nuSY8F8J90/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV-5wNlWlbk/Ux1vcGyv2TI/AAAAAAAABgA/1nuSY8F8J90/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_03.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Others literally break down, wailing and crying, looking stunned and devastated upon the betrayal of their beloved body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After witnessing all these betrayals, I have come to one conclusion: live life to the fullest while the body is still on your side. Go climb that mountain, jump off that plane, marry the love of your life, run that marathon, write that book, volunteer for social services or whatever. Just as long as you fulfil as many dreams and goals as you can. Thus, when the betrayal comes, you can actually calmly sit back with your legs crossed and know that you have had a good run.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YGQm5nXy2eM/Ux2W7K3x50I/AAAAAAAABgc/ltERYNswHT8/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YGQm5nXy2eM/Ux2W7K3x50I/AAAAAAAABgc/ltERYNswHT8/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_06.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My uncle who is paralysed waist down due to a bout of poliomyelitis during his childhood once told me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>" Life is short enough to enjoy but too long to suffer"</i> </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> -Lim Sow Seng-</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simple yet deep; beautiful and sweet. So yeah.. let us use that short time to the max just in case we may have to suffer later on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yours truly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shimri </span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-3532591974548143642014-02-22T06:21:00.002-08:002014-03-20T19:39:11.158-07:00The Upward Plunge Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 2: Pairo- Lantang Village</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Faithfully following behind the retreating back of Mann our guide, he led us ever onwards to the snowy caped mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After staring at Mann's bag for hours, I slowly came to memorise every single detail of the bag, every meticulously patched up tear, every faded stain. The image of the bag was so firmly etched into my mind that I see it every time I close my eyes, even dream about it when I sleep. Mann should have been carrying my medical books, that way I could have memorise the whole book instead...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So with Mann leading the way, me slightly behind him and Aiman covering up the rear, we walked across the Langtang trek of the Himalayas. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foXsHuW4WJg/UveJ0DJJVJI/AAAAAAAABYQ/9cV2C0QmJ34/s1600/IMG_9621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foXsHuW4WJg/UveJ0DJJVJI/AAAAAAAABYQ/9cV2C0QmJ34/s1600/IMG_9621.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as I was thinking how our journey is somewhat similar to the journey of Frodo in The Lord of The Rings ( Mann being Sméagle, Aiman being Sam and me being Frodo), I dislodged some stones sending them rolling down a hill alarming a flock of birds which took flight immediately. It was a magical moment as we stood on top of a hill surrounded by the serene mountain view and engulfed in a cloud of birds, at least it was magical until the shit started dropping..</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbrYZb0AmMo/UveLCmZ4HpI/AAAAAAAABY0/9ku79rwnZyc/s1600/IMG_9748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbrYZb0AmMo/UveLCmZ4HpI/AAAAAAAABY0/9ku79rwnZyc/s1600/IMG_9748.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the sun started sinking behind the mountains, we arrived at Lantang Village hungry, weary and cold. The village made up of many small houses with chimneys smoking was a very welcomed sight. The smoke means fire and fire means warmth and food. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcbpcV02c-k/UveLoX-emrI/AAAAAAAABZI/lIeKEVqfR-U/s1600/IMG_9781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcbpcV02c-k/UveLoX-emrI/AAAAAAAABZI/lIeKEVqfR-U/s1600/IMG_9781.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The whole village was already in shadows as we walked towards our chosen tea-house to spend the night, except for a field nearby where the last rays of the sun still shone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In that last ray of sun, I saw a small young boy dancing, spinning and tumbling around. He looked so happy, so care-free, laughing as he danced, screaming as he spun and fell. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kad00iFppMY/UveMD5Ulo_I/AAAAAAAABZY/nykxmuBM5Jc/s1600/IMG_9809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kad00iFppMY/UveMD5Ulo_I/AAAAAAAABZY/nykxmuBM5Jc/s1600/IMG_9809.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to capture that tender moment but as I approach the boy, he quickly disappeared back into his house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner that night was a cold affair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even with a heater burning red hot trying in vain to heat up the dining area, everyone was shivering as we huddled round the heater gulping down hot tea and wolfing down our Dhal Bhats (a local rice dish).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember the dancing young boy? Well, apparently he and his family were staying next door to us. It was so cold that they came over to share the fire and have dinner together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After dinner I took out my iPad and let the dancing boy and his brother have a go at some of the games I have in my iPad. They were mesmerized.. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYvQgL1N3mQ/UveMPAqV89I/AAAAAAAABZo/9uUpWWs3Fx4/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYvQgL1N3mQ/UveMPAqV89I/AAAAAAAABZo/9uUpWWs3Fx4/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could see their exciment as they figured how to beat the games. The brother concentrated especially hard while playing a game that even a blob of mucus slowly dripping out from his nose went unnoticed. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rL69DzhS0jA/UveMK0xFf2I/AAAAAAAABZg/injj_7clB5U/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rL69DzhS0jA/UveMK0xFf2I/AAAAAAAABZg/injj_7clB5U/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These mountain folks seem to have nothing, no televisions, no computers, no overpriced apple products, no nothing. But in reality, these people actually have everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They have the purest form of joy by enjoying simple things in life like dancing in the sun, they get the highest satisfaction achieved by pitting themselves against mother nature and excelling, they enjoy the blues skies, the high mountains....</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLjYEUyT3EE/Uv90jzymGYI/AAAAAAAABbc/U4vak9b1yw8/s1600/DSC04977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLjYEUyT3EE/Uv90jzymGYI/AAAAAAAABbc/U4vak9b1yw8/s1600/DSC04977.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What wouldn't I give to have what they have..</span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-45555608214517751462014-02-10T06:30:00.000-08:002014-03-20T19:43:57.957-07:00The Upward Plunge Part 1<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Paul Salopek once wrote:</span><br />
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"<i>Walking is falling forward. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Each step we take is an arrested plunge, a collapse averted, a disaster braked.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Walking becomes an act of faith."</span></i><br />
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For the past one week, Aiman and I plummeted across part of the Himalayan mountain range in Nepal. We walked the Langtang trek and conquered a 4985m peak called Tsergo Ri.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU4lt7nebUA/UveJLwQFG9I/AAAAAAAABYI/u5JDpDE_0PQ/s1600/Langtang+Trek_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KU4lt7nebUA/UveJLwQFG9I/AAAAAAAABYI/u5JDpDE_0PQ/s1600/Langtang+Trek_01.jpg" height="295" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 1: Kathmandu- Landslide</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mgzt9DRdLQ0/UveNRjbjxQI/AAAAAAAABZ0/CKJZzvRU9Wk/s1600/IMG_9992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mgzt9DRdLQ0/UveNRjbjxQI/AAAAAAAABZ0/CKJZzvRU9Wk/s1600/IMG_9992.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That is the view outside my window as we embarked on a 7 hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. The road leading to Syabrubesi is extremely narrow, barely being able to fit one small car but used as a two-way highway for trucks, lorries and buses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The road barely qualifies as a road, with rocks and boulders becoming the layering for the road instead of tar. That makes the journey a 7 hour bumpity-bumpity ride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Some parts of the road are destroyed by landslides, making the narrow and bumpy road even narrower and bumpier. At parts like these, the bus trying to manoeuvre across the debris tilts precariously over the edge of the mountain. In reaction, some passengers lean desperately to the opposite side, trying to rebalance the bus and prevent a tumble straight down the cliff; while other passengers get down on their knees and start praying to all the gods known to human mankind.</span><br />
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The driver oblivious to the dangers of the road and the distress of the passengers, drives with one hand and his other holding a cigarette, as he sings along the nepalese songs blasting out from the speakers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ZBdRh6tvs/UveXQnJd4zI/AAAAAAAABaA/Fci62pfnEe8/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_01(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ZBdRh6tvs/UveXQnJd4zI/AAAAAAAABaA/Fci62pfnEe8/s1600/Idea+note_20140209_225451_01(1).jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Either by the skill of the bus driver or the prayers of the passengers or the desperate leaning of the other passengers, we actually arrive at Syabrubesi in one piece, unhurt and unharmed.</span><br />
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Aiman, a fellow medical cadet whom I jokingly call the "fart-man" (in return, he calls me the bloody China-man) suggest we start hiking immediately instead of spending the night at Syabrubesi.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EO2rzdGeN3g/UvebwdgWYII/AAAAAAAABaM/FQI4OrDDF_A/s1600/IMG_9201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EO2rzdGeN3g/UvebwdgWYII/AAAAAAAABaM/FQI4OrDDF_A/s1600/IMG_9201.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We turn to our hired local Nepalese guide, Mann, asking his opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mann has an easy manner and an easier smile which seems to be </span>permanently<span style="font-family: inherit;"> stuck on his face. He is always smiling! Be it in the cold or even during </span>extreme<span style="font-family: inherit;"> hunger and tiredness. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qqA9q8LWek/UveB2NLE5JI/AAAAAAAABXU/7V587-wBmfA/s1600/IMG_9250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qqA9q8LWek/UveB2NLE5JI/AAAAAAAABXU/7V587-wBmfA/s1600/IMG_9250.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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Mann has various sayings that he claims are Nepalese sayings. For example:</span><br />
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<i> "Chicken curry, no hurry."</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> "Slowly slowly, catch the monkey"</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> "Apple pie, don't shy"</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> "Nepal= Never Ending Peace And Love</span></i><br />
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And not all are innocent and pure:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> "<i>Japan= Jumping And Pumping All Night"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <i>"Fanta= F*** And Never Talk Again</i></span><br />
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Along the way he came up with more and more sayings, making me doubt they are Nepalese sayings but rather self-made up rhymes. </span><br />
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So, asking his opinion if we can start hiking, he replies with a smile on his face: "No problem!" And thus, our upward plunge along Langtang trek towards Tsergo Ri begins!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1qZ1LgXDl8/UveBt1kD_SI/AAAAAAAABXM/RojJkYdEuN8/s1600/IMG_9232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1qZ1LgXDl8/UveBt1kD_SI/AAAAAAAABXM/RojJkYdEuN8/s1600/IMG_9232.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our aim for the day is to reach a village called Pairo. Carrying our backpacks and a big smile on our faces, we walked along Langtang River, saturating ourselves with the beauty of God's creation.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFrhKK9SsG4/UveF5pzdjdI/AAAAAAAABX0/vXwrXC43HZk/s1600/IMG_9290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFrhKK9SsG4/UveF5pzdjdI/AAAAAAAABX0/vXwrXC43HZk/s1600/IMG_9290.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After 2 hours of walking, we arrive at our destination where we were quickly allocated rooms to spend the night.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5HIW-vvxU0/UviAVlMwLeI/AAAAAAAABac/8bPK0ch9Usc/s1600/IMG_9270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5HIW-vvxU0/UviAVlMwLeI/AAAAAAAABac/8bPK0ch9Usc/s1600/IMG_9270.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In Nepal, a particular tribe of people staying high in the Himalayas are renowned for their mountaineering expertise. Seemingly immune to the cold and the effects of high altitude, they are regarded as elite mountaineers, the best of the best. Serving as guides at extremely high altitudes, these people form the backbone of expeditions conquering Mount Everest. This tribe of people are known as the Sherpa people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As the sun started sinking, the rising crescent moon found us crowded round the kitchen fire trying to warm ourselves. Just as we were about to get warm, the kitchen door was thrown open letting in the cold frigid air. Two figures quickly huddled in and came to share our fire...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5JQUN8uJU8/UveGkIy4DNI/AAAAAAAABX8/qxhNOg6yJcY/s1600/IMG_9350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5JQUN8uJU8/UveGkIy4DNI/AAAAAAAABX8/qxhNOg6yJcY/s1600/IMG_9350.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They introduced themselves and ordered dinner. I kind of forgot their names hehe (my apologies, I suck at names). But one of them is a Sherpa and the other is a man from China training to be a professional guide. So they were there to practise ice climbing at one of the many snowy capped peaks along Langtang trek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After we all had dinner, the Sherpa started telling stories about his various expeditions up Mount Everest. The Sherpa had a hypnotic way of telling his stories, he had everybody in the kitchen sitting at the edges of the chair trying to catch his every word as he recounted his experiences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">His stories painted a picture in my head where I am standing proudly at the top of Mount Everest with the Malaysian flag in my right hand....... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the fire dying and dreams of conquering Everest, I wished everybody goodnight and head to bed to rest </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> prepare for our hike tomorrow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1i5vJxJ4wk/Uvjc0UuwIlI/AAAAAAAABa8/LM6sMsQlYE0/s1600/IMG_9368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1i5vJxJ4wk/Uvjc0UuwIlI/AAAAAAAABa8/LM6sMsQlYE0/s1600/IMG_9368.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A starry sky seen under Nepalese prayer flags</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
.</span></div>
Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-84818738153249709902014-01-09T07:58:00.000-08:002014-01-11T05:10:39.018-08:00A Glimpse into Our Life<span style="font-size: large;">The one activity that keeps the soldiers fit for war is none other than physical training, or better known yet as PT. Never before has a session of PT been photographed and shown to the outside world but today, today I had the privilege of photographing an entire session of 2010 medical cadets doing their PT. So, presenting the ladies:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHlII5VNJHQ/Us6wZVuJ-_I/AAAAAAAABS8/6M_o4Gj1TvI/s1600/IMG_8850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHlII5VNJHQ/Us6wZVuJ-_I/AAAAAAAABS8/6M_o4Gj1TvI/s1600/IMG_8850.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And gentlemen:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGoGeNXEk4c/Us6wOIPSO5I/AAAAAAAABSk/X8-3bp9cxTA/s1600/IMG_8849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGoGeNXEk4c/Us6wOIPSO5I/AAAAAAAABSk/X8-3bp9cxTA/s1600/IMG_8849.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the break of dawn, with the early morning Muslim prayers echoing through out the still morning mist, we get out of bed and prepare to go for our PT.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klVNcrW2XDw/Us6wV5X_xlI/AAAAAAAABSs/qzHdWVXrI1k/s1600/IMG_8883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klVNcrW2XDw/Us6wV5X_xlI/AAAAAAAABSs/qzHdWVXrI1k/s1600/IMG_8883.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It all starts with a little stretching,</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrvKWx70pNI/Us6z0GU7ZBI/AAAAAAAABTg/MnLjzkv6Z2E/s1600/IMG_8526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrvKWx70pNI/Us6z0GU7ZBI/AAAAAAAABTg/MnLjzkv6Z2E/s1600/IMG_8526.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which then quickly excaltes to sprints,</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j89bISwPczA/Us660TiQQ5I/AAAAAAAABUk/rmld_Y5Qk98/s1600/IMG_8649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j89bISwPczA/Us660TiQQ5I/AAAAAAAABUk/rmld_Y5Qk98/s1600/IMG_8649.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Push ups and so on...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OMB0gTGLBw/Us675XBWuCI/AAAAAAAABU4/QIW1KRUNZJI/s1600/IMG_8681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OMB0gTGLBw/Us675XBWuCI/AAAAAAAABU4/QIW1KRUNZJI/s1600/IMG_8681.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the morning progressed, we found ourselves crawling and rolling in the field,</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xy-OaHwsFew/Us682ttT4uI/AAAAAAAABVY/oRCNz8qtDJs/s1600/IMG_8637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xy-OaHwsFew/Us682ttT4uI/AAAAAAAABVY/oRCNz8qtDJs/s1600/IMG_8637.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Going through various exercise designed to strengthen and toughen one up.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv8qE-Uxq34/Us68pqfsJeI/AAAAAAAABVI/ttoXa4X7aM8/s1600/IMG_8614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv8qE-Uxq34/Us68pqfsJeI/AAAAAAAABVI/ttoXa4X7aM8/s1600/IMG_8614.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ladies do the same exercise as the guys, making our ladies very scary.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovUelH4fok8/Us689qIm7II/AAAAAAAABVo/0v_ndOMsvgU/s1600/IMG_8763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovUelH4fok8/Us689qIm7II/AAAAAAAABVo/0v_ndOMsvgU/s1600/IMG_8763.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The intensive and strenuous exercises drives every single medical cadet on the field to exhaustion, except that one Chinese bugger running around taking pictures.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuv-pVbaysc/Us7DwiWxTuI/AAAAAAAABWU/_UGzpAO245s/s1600/IMG_8664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuv-pVbaysc/Us7DwiWxTuI/AAAAAAAABWU/_UGzpAO245s/s1600/IMG_8664.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With military training instead of holidays during our semester break, a generation of future army doctors is slowly and painstakingly created. A generation where all are fit and strong. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IvceIMmQWPQ/Us68_frS6oI/AAAAAAAABVw/5Hk-qdzxboE/s1600/IMG_8787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IvceIMmQWPQ/Us68_frS6oI/AAAAAAAABVw/5Hk-qdzxboE/s1600/IMG_8787.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Capable of running any distance ordered,</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NUSvmAOn4o/Us6_Zt45ICI/AAAAAAAABWI/oZJM32Efe9s/s1600/IMG_8557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NUSvmAOn4o/Us6_Zt45ICI/AAAAAAAABWI/oZJM32Efe9s/s1600/IMG_8557.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And being able to carry their own weight and more,</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbXPQ5iN3uY/Us69BYMPDRI/AAAAAAAABV4/rslfUY0P5_w/s1600/IMG_8791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbXPQ5iN3uY/Us69BYMPDRI/AAAAAAAABV4/rslfUY0P5_w/s1600/IMG_8791.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But most importantly, a generation of peace loving military doctors are born. Where a nation's peace and security is priority. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-et7HrmrbfYs/Us69KyDh1ZI/AAAAAAAABWA/FG0SCG2qWXo/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peace!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-et7HrmrbfYs/Us69KyDh1ZI/AAAAAAAABWA/FG0SCG2qWXo/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yours truly,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shimri</span><br />
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</div>
Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-14876087879845554912013-11-11T06:34:00.000-08:002013-11-11T08:13:47.370-08:00Sulphur mines at Kawah Ijen<span style="font-size: large;">My brother, uncle and me recently made a trip to East Java, Indonesia in search of a long lost Javanese legend.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We rode over mountains,</span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiYaSMGaVuw/Un7Pk1W-rAI/AAAAAAAABNQ/4UmlJHQeXRw/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiYaSMGaVuw/Un7Pk1W-rAI/AAAAAAAABNQ/4UmlJHQeXRw/s640/IMG_6468.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crossed endless deserts,</span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3U3qtT5pMn4/Un7PgVRXBOI/AAAAAAAABMM/nLI8rPyrcF0/s1600/IMG_6252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3U3qtT5pMn4/Un7PgVRXBOI/AAAAAAAABMM/nLI8rPyrcF0/s640/IMG_6252.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And ventured into unknown roads,</span><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqPo617q7xY/Un7PhORkTjI/AAAAAAAABMU/CrmfeTfV4ww/s1600/IMG_5914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqPo617q7xY/Un7PhORkTjI/AAAAAAAABMU/CrmfeTfV4ww/s640/IMG_5914.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Till we found at long last, the last living man who remembers this sacred Javanese legend.</span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hONklFmZgAQ/Un7RSdvSmoI/AAAAAAAABP8/iLROwikYVII/s1600/IMG_6073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hONklFmZgAQ/Un7RSdvSmoI/AAAAAAAABP8/iLROwikYVII/s640/IMG_6073.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The legend goes something like this:</span><br>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Once upon time, in a land far far away. There lived a small chic by the name of Chicky-chicky-micky-micky. He stayed with his mother and his many brothers and sisters.</span></i><br>
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<i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ_ArKRdc_w/Un8IpqdlUhI/AAAAAAAABQM/ycbbyIKGA6U/s1600/IMG_6362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ_ArKRdc_w/Un8IpqdlUhI/AAAAAAAABQM/ycbbyIKGA6U/s400/IMG_6362.jpg" width="265"></span></a></i></div>
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<i>One day, he decided to go for a walk alone in the woods.</i></span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ied6VKVamf8/Un7Ph-B16II/AAAAAAAABMg/8M_kzF1YrTg/s1600/IMG_6378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ied6VKVamf8/Un7Ph-B16II/AAAAAAAABMg/8M_kzF1YrTg/s400/IMG_6378.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br></i>
<i>As he was walking, a curious sight caught his attention.</i></span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZvim9pUMXU/Un7PixaYxpI/AAAAAAAABMs/OijA-V8BQqU/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZvim9pUMXU/Un7PixaYxpI/AAAAAAAABMs/OijA-V8BQqU/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br></i>
<i>He was so excited, he ran as fast as his tiny legs could carry him back home to tell his brothers and sisters.</i></span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bao7m_WInxI/Un7PjXP2ZBI/AAAAAAAABM4/CERV_utikV8/s1600/IMG_6385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bao7m_WInxI/Un7PjXP2ZBI/AAAAAAAABM4/CERV_utikV8/s400/IMG_6385.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
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<i><br></i></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Upon hearing the news, they all rushed to see this sight.</i></span><br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdIMDmgdzFQ/Un7PkJ4sOJI/AAAAAAAABNA/hl_1I67YJoc/s1600/IMG_6388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdIMDmgdzFQ/Un7PkJ4sOJI/AAAAAAAABNA/hl_1I67YJoc/s400/IMG_6388.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br></i>
<i><br></i></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The sight which interest them was this new building which never was seen before in this land.</i></span><br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5T8yGOBqPk/Un8LlJN-uII/AAAAAAAABQY/SpRNjN1MEio/s1600/kfc_building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5T8yGOBqPk/Un8LlJN-uII/AAAAAAAABQY/SpRNjN1MEio/s400/kfc_building.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">They entered the building out of curiosity and that was the last we ever heard of Chicky-chicky-micky-micky and his siblings.</span></i><br>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcCqS79zWt8/Un8ycZNgq6I/AAAAAAAABQo/JkG9SzVoukw/s1600/kfc-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcCqS79zWt8/Un8ycZNgq6I/AAAAAAAABQo/JkG9SzVoukw/s400/kfc-chicken.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok seriously, we went to East Jawa to visit Mount Bromo and the Sulphur Mines at Kawah Ijen. I have to say the sulphur mines were pretty interesting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This sulphur mine is located in the crater of a volcano called Kawah Ijen. We had to ascend the volcano then descend into it's crater to visit the mines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Standing at the top of the volcano and looking down the crater, the sight of the mines coloured yellow by the abundant amount of sulphur and swathed in a thick choking sheet of smoke greeted us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We quickly descended despite warning signs prohibiting us from going down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the mines, a dozen iron pipes channel molten sulphur from beneath the depths of the volcano to the surface.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPnvFD0FOu8/Un7PrPjzRaI/AAAAAAAABN8/BnTzgrVRsus/s1600/IMG_6774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPnvFD0FOu8/Un7PrPjzRaI/AAAAAAAABN8/BnTzgrVRsus/s640/IMG_6774.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The liquid sulphur will solidify, forming solid stones of sulphur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The miners will then break up the stones of sulphur, collect the broken pieces of sulphur, put them in a basket then carry them down the volcano.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A miner breaking up the sulphur </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm astounded at how the miners can actually carry the basket of sulphur weighting at least 90kg and manoeuvre across the treacherous pathways of the volcano.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tried lifting the basket of sulphur and I tell you it is heavy. It is so heavy it hurts. I barely could take one step, let alone make my way uphill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bamboo resting on my shoulder dug into my clavicle, exerting such force that my clavicle threaten to snap at the weight of the bloody basket of sulphur. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I managed to speak with a local miner named Poniman, who has been working here for the past 17 years. He braves the the suffocating sulphuric smoke, the crushing weigh upon his shoulders and the treacherous pathways just to earn a little money to feed his family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After so many years of carrying the this heavy burden, his body has adapted to allow him to perform his job. Notice the hypertrophied trapezius muscle to protect his clavicle from the obscene pressure exerted by the basket of sulphur. Notice also the bruising around the shoulders and the yellowing of his teeth and sclera. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ravages of sulphur mining</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing the miners being able to go about their work cheerfully despite the heavy burden they carry, even teasing and helping one another as they slowly made their way down the volcano made me realise that I have officially lost the right to complain about life. No matter how bad or tough I think my life is, it can never be as hard as these sulphur miners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mean what are long working hours or parade which takes 3 hours compared to this lifestyle?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Henceforth, if I ever start to complain, please give me a full cup of water with a cover and ask me to shut the full cup.</span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-72684595868416434272013-10-16T17:42:00.000-07:002013-10-17T00:39:55.381-07:00The Secret to Extreme Crazy Fitness<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be going to Hong Kong at the end of this month for the 2013 Lantau ITU Triathlon Asian Cup. Since I started clinical posting, my training load has decreased like crazy. Going to the hospital at 0630H and returning at night means that I can slot in one session of training a day at most and even that is uncertain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once, after a long day at the hospital, I arrived back in camp around 2200H. I was worried about my fitness for this coming competition, so I decided to go for a late night swim session.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The layout for the swimming pool area in my camp is something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtJekp_X0I/Ul8g1QrYm6I/AAAAAAAABLU/5fyeDrYvWb0/s1600/Idea+note_20131010_124500_01%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtJekp_X0I/Ul8g1QrYm6I/AAAAAAAABLU/5fyeDrYvWb0/s640/Idea+note_20131010_124500_01%25281%2529.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a cafe just by the swimming pool and the benches is where we'll put our stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the pool was already closed and I did not want to bring attention to myself, I choose not to switch on the spotlights thus I did my swim in the dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Halfway through my swim program, I happen to glance up and I notice a group of instructors standing at the edge of the pool staring at me intensively.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0ZmN_Boz8A/Ul8g1gnhoHI/AAAAAAAABLY/L9M3rYFxTOs/s1600/Idea+note_20131010_124500_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0ZmN_Boz8A/Ul8g1gnhoHI/AAAAAAAABLY/L9M3rYFxTOs/s640/Idea+note_20131010_124500_02.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I stopped swimming and approached them with my googles still on. As I got nearer to them, one of the instructors wished me in the most polite voice ever: "Assalamualaikum tuan! Tuan dari mana ni?" (Peace be upon you sir! Where are you from sir?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two things were weird here. First, instructors never call us, cadets "sir". "Sir" is usually used by lower ranks to address seniors or officers. Second, instructors are never polite to cadets. They'll either be shouting or screaming at us cadets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt a little perplexed at why these instructors were being so polite and nice to me. I wondered if I was commissioned as a officer recently without my knowledge. Maybe I was now Tan Sri Brigadier General Dr Lim...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I answered them confidently in my most officer sounding voice: "Selamat petang staff! Saya Pegawai cadet Lim dari UPNM ni. Ade apa-apa tak staff?" ( Good evening staff! I am cadet officer Lim from UPNM. How may I help you?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The instant they realise they were dealing with a cadet and not an officer, their expression and manners changed immediately. They went: "BLOODY HELL CADET! HOW DARE YOU SWIM ALONE IN THE DARK! DON'T YOU KNOW THE POOL IS CLOSED! GET OUT OF THE POOL BEFORE I BEAT YOU SENSELESS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So out I went from the pool as fast as I could with my tail between my legs. So much for their peace be unto me.... So much for Tan Sri Brigadier General Dr Lim...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I got out of the pool and made my way to the showers, I heard a shout coming from the direction of the cafe. "Cadet! Come here you!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me make a few things clear at this point. First of, I am short sighted. My vision without my specs looks something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpfzfmyfiaI/Ul8gKc4a5MI/AAAAAAAABKw/MawTImipXRo/s1600/IMG_5386-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpfzfmyfiaI/Ul8gKc4a5MI/AAAAAAAABKw/MawTImipXRo/s640/IMG_5386-2.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second, I was still in my swimming trunks.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRKKGjqgVWs/Ul8gwP3OSrI/AAAAAAAABLI/r6SRdrWApoE/s1600/Landscape+note_20131016_120842_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRKKGjqgVWs/Ul8gwP3OSrI/AAAAAAAABLI/r6SRdrWApoE/s640/Landscape+note_20131016_120842_02.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Third, as cadets, we have certain protocols to follow when we approach officers and instructors. We have to stand in front of the person, stamp our feet twice, brace up (puff out our chest, hands at the side and tilt our heads up) and greet the person. Then as the person is talking to us, we'll have to either stand at attention (feet together, hands at the side) or be at ease (feet at shoulder width and hands behind the back). In other words, we'll be doing a little basic marching.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhCOfNbzNCg/Ul8j2yCG_4I/AAAAAAAABLk/qx7ZKwT8FdU/s640/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Left picture: standing at attention. Right picture: standing at ease.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So yeah, when I heard someone shouting for me from the cafe, I had no idea who was calling me and where exactly was that person situated. That means I had to enter the cafe wearing only my swimming trunks, try locate who was calling me and do some simple marching clad only in my swimming trunks. Not a very entertaining thought for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like bats and whales, I used Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) to pinpoint the source of the of the shout and blindly made my way there hoping I don't approach the wrong person.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBWmLVURGno/Ul8gMSPhQkI/AAAAAAAABK4/6Bh_q9pohZA/s1600/sonar.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="580" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBWmLVURGno/Ul8gMSPhQkI/AAAAAAAABK4/6Bh_q9pohZA/s640/sonar.gif" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long story short, I managed to approach the officer calling me, did some half naked marching in the cafe then listen to the officer tell me off for swimming at this odd hour. All the while squirming uncomfortably as people looked at me funny wondering what is this fellow doing in his swimming trunks.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WM_QZ_vYq0Q/Ul8k2Q2KSKI/AAAAAAAABLo/KroUtgBO-bE/s1600/Landscape+note_20131016_120842_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WM_QZ_vYq0Q/Ul8k2Q2KSKI/AAAAAAAABLo/KroUtgBO-bE/s640/Landscape+note_20131016_120842_03.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of getting to practise my swim for the upcoming competition, I had to do some half naked marching in a public place. I wonder if this is some secret training my officers came up with, a training so effective it makes you crazy fit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, if you ask me: "Is there a secret to extreme crazy fitness?" To which I'll reply: "Yes there is. Try half naked marching in a public place. It work wonders for your stamina." At least I hope it does, else I'm screwed.. </span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-29741237494509294742013-09-25T18:53:00.000-07:002013-09-27T05:19:14.400-07:00Year 3 of Medical School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mxmgFwNmM/Ujxibgmh8EI/AAAAAAAABH0/H1HG7XMpwTM/s1600/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mxmgFwNmM/Ujxibgmh8EI/AAAAAAAABH0/H1HG7XMpwTM/s640/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my room's shower. I know "hate" is a very strong word to use but never have I hated anything more than this shower. Not any parades, not any politician, nothing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Normal showers dispense water in a steady and smooth manner.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ7lgWYSTjc/UjxicqTws4I/AAAAAAAABHw/5FlltlDn6K0/s1600/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ7lgWYSTjc/UjxicqTws4I/AAAAAAAABHw/5FlltlDn6K0/s640/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_02.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My shower on the other hand is not normal. When turned on, it will first flow normally, but after a while it starts gusting out air at high speed with an occasional drop of water.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RXpMY9seBg/UjxicujNEYI/AAAAAAAABIA/7zlpk-czTOo/s1600/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RXpMY9seBg/UjxicujNEYI/AAAAAAAABIA/7zlpk-czTOo/s640/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_03.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What happens during bathing time is that the shower will flow smoothly long enough to wet our bodies, shampoo our hair and soap our bodies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the exact moment we intend to wash off the soap and shampoo, water is miraculously changed to air. We would be left stranded in the bathroom with soap running in our eyes and our tempers rise by the minute as we listen to the gushing air coming from the shower.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NVJYsPgXCs/UkNv-NBHeXI/AAAAAAAABKA/F_EIn4N_k18/s1600/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NVJYsPgXCs/UkNv-NBHeXI/AAAAAAAABKA/F_EIn4N_k18/s640/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_04.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd get so pissed off that we eventually start cursing the shower. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in reply, the shower will shoot a bullet of water flying at such high speed that it leaves you gasping in pain upon impact. You wouldn't want that bullet of water hitting your softer nuts.. I mean parts of the body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Desperate to get the water flowing again, we would try all kinds of methods to make it happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So with shampoo all over the body, we would do rain dances, go on our knees in prayer and even undergo rituals of sacrifice.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6EYbvyvTMo/UkNv-Z7c-6I/AAAAAAAABKE/ANYku-GtN_U/s1600/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6EYbvyvTMo/UkNv-Z7c-6I/AAAAAAAABKE/ANYku-GtN_U/s640/Landscape+note_20130920_224847_05.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If the water actually does return, we would know there is a God up in heaven who loves us and has sent his only begotten son to die for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But if the water does not return even after exhausting all the methods (which happens most of the time), we would have to resign ourselves to wipe the soap and shampoo off with our towels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the sound of the gushing air echoing in the background, we'd then sadly leave the bathroom stickier than when we first entered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The moment we step outside though, the gushing sound is replaced by the sweetest sound of water flowing smoothly and beautifully. But it quickly changes back to air at our very thought of going back to bathe again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So yeah, that's my bloody shower...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A very short update: The 2010 batch of medical cadets are currently doing our clinical posting at Hospital Tuanku Mizan.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5O53L6EkOtM/UkKXbuXBjdI/AAAAAAAABJc/76KE-GTLGPc/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5O53L6EkOtM/UkKXbuXBjdI/AAAAAAAABJc/76KE-GTLGPc/s640/IMG_0349.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Year 3 consists of 4 postings which include: Surgery, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics and O&G. Each posting lasts 2 months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So my group, group 3, has Surgery for our first posting.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEYQgX7O1Jk/UkJbZvzkv3I/AAAAAAAABIQ/IQXY1JbQt3M/s1600/IMG_3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEYQgX7O1Jk/UkJbZvzkv3I/AAAAAAAABIQ/IQXY1JbQt3M/s640/IMG_3439.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Group 3 with the surgical professors: Prof Ahmed & Mr Anil</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I find it interesting how surgeons are addressed as "Mr" instead of "Dr".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also find it fascinating how the matron is like the queen of the hospital, bossing and ordering everybody about, protecting the welfare of patients with all the love of a mother and the ferocity of a tiger.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ia9OSEN-ITM/UkJcCPhEjSI/AAAAAAAABIg/NFAexqZPl-4/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ia9OSEN-ITM/UkJcCPhEjSI/AAAAAAAABIg/NFAexqZPl-4/s640/IMG_3288.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am in awe at how the surgeon plays God in the operating theatre too. Confidently cutting and slicing, removing tumours and repairing damage, defying death right in the face.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9uHINvMrk8/UkKeANqj-1I/AAAAAAAABJw/NgYZSeju7jc/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9uHINvMrk8/UkKeANqj-1I/AAAAAAAABJw/NgYZSeju7jc/s640/IMG_0467.jpg" width="366" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also kind of like how the ranks in this medical environment are directly proportional to one's knowledge. The higher qualified one is, the higher is the rank. So we actually have very competent and professional officers here. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lie4tjUEhwM/UkKYG-7g57I/AAAAAAAABJk/qlbONXDycio/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lie4tjUEhwM/UkKYG-7g57I/AAAAAAAABJk/qlbONXDycio/s640/IMG_0374.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From left: Captain, Major, Major and Brigadier General</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long way for us, medical students to go though. But perhaps through tons of hard work and tireless dedication, we may one day be legends ourselves and inspire the younger generation. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5E9NPlfrPU/UkOJN4hLPSI/AAAAAAAABKY/-1GIGRcTNbY/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5E9NPlfrPU/UkOJN4hLPSI/AAAAAAAABKY/-1GIGRcTNbY/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"If you aspire to inspire before you expire, first you would need to perspire" -Mr Ong Chong Wee, ex-principal of St. Francis Institution-<br /></span></i></td></tr>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-60200137235413903552013-09-09T06:03:00.001-07:002013-09-14T22:17:15.166-07:00Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, the flying doctor.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sxV-sWC7T8/UixtZP3kScI/AAAAAAAABEc/2KyU48VVbzA/s1600/IMG_3855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sxV-sWC7T8/UixtZP3kScI/AAAAAAAABEc/2KyU48VVbzA/s640/IMG_3855.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8th September 2013, a very significant date for the new juniors joining the Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health. The white coat ceremony which symbolises the start of the journey of a medical student was held today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hall was filled with proud beaming parents as they watched their children march up the stage to receive their white coat from the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Major General Professor Dato Dr Mohd Zain bin Bidin.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kQm8XKNixeM/UixxjACpPoI/AAAAAAAABG8/z2ee-wpGdAI/s1600/IMG_3774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kQm8XKNixeM/UixxjACpPoI/AAAAAAAABG8/z2ee-wpGdAI/s640/IMG_3774.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Usually, there will be a guest of honour to officiate the white coat ceremony. Someone of importance and great standing will be invited to give a speech and grace the ceremony with his/her presence. The guest of honour for this year's white coat ceremony was none other than Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QK9b7ltIesA/Uix2i_m7lqI/AAAAAAAABHM/gSNCmqwd5_M/s1600/jegatesen_b_thumb.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know how certain people are associated to certain things or events? Say for example, when you think of swimming, the first name which pops into your mind would be Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer of all time; think of sprinting = Usian Bolt; think of boxing = Mohammad Ali; think of Apple = Steve Job; think of music = Mozart; think of a great and uncorrupted leader = Muhammad Taib...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan is the name to know if you think of medicine in Malaysia. Not only is he a renowned doctor, doing lots of research and even becoming the Deputy Director General of Health Ministry of Malaysia, he is also a legend in the sports arena.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During Malaysia's Golden Era of sports (1960s), Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan ran so bloody fast people called him the flying doctor. In fact, he was so good at running that he represented Malaysia in the Olympics not once, not twice but 3 times! He even won 3 gold medals in the Asia Games earning the tittle of Asia's Fastest Man. On top of all that, his 200m record of 20.9s remains unbroken even after 45 years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To achieve all this when he wasn't even a full time athlete but rather a medical student is kind of inspiring. To say he is a perfect role model would be an understatement.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSaHEX6aVeQ/Ui2m5uUIQ5I/AAAAAAAABHc/gx9ACXL1rBU/s1600/Jegathesan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSaHEX6aVeQ/Ui2m5uUIQ5I/AAAAAAAABHc/gx9ACXL1rBU/s640/Jegathesan.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many tributes about Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan. Go google his name if you wanna know more about him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So yeah, back to my story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason, I was chosen to be the liaison officer for Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan during the ceremony. I had to go to his house to pick him up, escort him to my university and send him to the airport after everything was done. In other words, I was something like his usher for the day. And what a privilege it was!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was an honour to be in the same car as Tan Sri, listening to his stories and getting his opinions and advice on various issues. I even manage to get a picture with him.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxa-8wCCdOM/UixtNf5cTnI/AAAAAAAABDU/NwdYuzNpOXA/s1600/IMG_3617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="572" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxa-8wCCdOM/UixtNf5cTnI/AAAAAAAABDU/NwdYuzNpOXA/s640/IMG_3617.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, the Flying Doctor and me, the Iron Doctor :P</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd say it was inspirational and a refreshing experience, consolidating my aim and determination to work hard and try follow in his footsteps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh ya, remember my Distinction Viva a few weeks earlier? Yeah, I managed to get a distinction for Pharmacology. The distinction award was given during this White Coat Ceremony. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIy0ND9q3Tk/UixtYi6QMzI/AAAAAAAABEY/VcJ_3xG6KUY/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIy0ND9q3Tk/UixtYi6QMzI/AAAAAAAABEY/VcJ_3xG6KUY/s640/IMG_3846.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was so glad that my parents, grandma and sister could make it to the ceremony. To think they came all the way from Melaka just to witness me receive the award :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fyC1mY1WAE/UixtnK3WEPI/AAAAAAAABFs/N30nluPBFog/s1600/IMG_4134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fyC1mY1WAE/UixtnK3WEPI/AAAAAAAABFs/N30nluPBFog/s640/IMG_4134.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't seem to come up with a proper ending for this post without sounding boastful or cheesy, so here is a picture of me in the process of making a salute. While you are contemplating about how nice this picture is, I take my leave.. so long :)</span><br />
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<br />Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-1550327573147699462013-08-28T23:46:00.000-07:002013-08-28T23:46:01.943-07:00The Prowess of Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">For all the talks of peace and no war, fighting and violence is actually integrated into our life more than we realise. I mean, just look at how a man is defined by his ability to fight. You can't fight, you not worthy of respect and honour. In the wild, where the strongest survives, the inability to fight means death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some may argue that brains beat brawn anytime. And I totally agree! But that is not my point today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My point is that a man's prowess is highly regarded by society. Look at how Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of his time, had the world chanting his name as he fought. Look at how Leonidas, King of Sparta has every boy dreaming to one day grow up to be big and strong and to be the greatest warrior of all time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And what better sport to prove one's prowess? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boxing!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A sport only the strongest, fastest and the most determine will emerge as a champion.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfnqoLvn8ck/Uh6zo4cFdII/AAAAAAAAA_w/JIVQCPF_RCM/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfnqoLvn8ck/Uh6zo4cFdII/AAAAAAAAA_w/JIVQCPF_RCM/s640/IMG_2479.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A sport where one has to bravely stand and face the opponent regardless of injury</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icp-5l5JvVw/Uh6zr6rkUiI/AAAAAAAAA_4/cde_OI2gErI/s1600/IMG_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icp-5l5JvVw/Uh6zr6rkUiI/AAAAAAAAA_4/cde_OI2gErI/s640/IMG_2500.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and regardless of pain.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMUQAeLDWLs/Uh7aOtScAUI/AAAAAAAABCs/Fq9h4AysuDY/s1600/under+the+belt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udluNhLJjxg/Uh60h90km3I/AAAAAAAABBY/YszoFs1FWcw/s1600/IMG_2838-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="586" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udluNhLJjxg/Uh60h90km3I/AAAAAAAABBY/YszoFs1FWcw/s640/IMG_2838-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A sneaky below the belt punch</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-610EpE010YE/Uh60kVF3KJI/AAAAAAAABBg/Ip15WFvk9a0/s1600/IMG_2839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-610EpE010YE/Uh60kVF3KJI/AAAAAAAABBg/Ip15WFvk9a0/s640/IMG_2839.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The pain of getting punch in the nuts= 9000 del units (160 times more painful than childbirth)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A sport that requires one to deal with the panic and confusion once punched in the face and all strategy goes down the drain.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJOZPRG5sv0/Uh60RhanxmI/AAAAAAAABAw/8d5mGcVXR80/s1600/IMG_2642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJOZPRG5sv0/Uh60RhanxmI/AAAAAAAABAw/8d5mGcVXR80/s640/IMG_2642.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Boxing offers a thrill and satisfaction gain only from winning a fight. The feeling of triumph when you gain respect for yourself and taking it away from your opponent. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUy-pBU40IQ/Uh60cP9ijmI/AAAAAAAABBA/8gkfqH_zOUk/s1600/IMG_2697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUy-pBU40IQ/Uh60cP9ijmI/AAAAAAAABBA/8gkfqH_zOUk/s640/IMG_2697.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And also the feeling of being at the top of the world for a brief moment as the crowd chants your name and gives you a standing ovation.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8XHeFskIGU/Uh60qR6YlGI/AAAAAAAABB4/N8KGU6mFHT0/s1600/IMG_2903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8XHeFskIGU/Uh60qR6YlGI/AAAAAAAABB4/N8KGU6mFHT0/s640/IMG_2903.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hell yeah! I would love to pick up boxing :)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">If there was magic in boxing, it's the magic of fighting beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It's the magic of risking everything for a dream nobody sees but you. -Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris, Million Dollar Baby-</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-47388649038492929112013-08-18T09:19:00.001-07:002013-08-22T22:34:43.691-07:00Blissful Holidays <span style="font-size: large;">After two weeks of a blissful holiday, I now report back to the National Defence University of Malaysia, where Malaysia's future military officers are trained. You may ask: "How are you guys trained?" And I'll proudly answer you: "By standing like idiots for hours in a parade square."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I kid you not, the moment I reported back to camp at 1800H, I have been standing in the parade square till 2200H. That is 4 bloody hours just for the duty officer to count our strength. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not complaining, since complaining won't help my situation much. Perhaps the best course of action would be to think positively. So positive thinking....... We'll, I guess I can be grateful the duty officer today was once awarded the Best Cadet Award when he commissioned a few years back. Meaning that he is the smartest, the fittest, the best the army has to offer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just imagine for a moment if another officer is on duty today, one who has not be awarded the Best Cadet Award. He'll be struggling to count pass 10 making us stand till the next morning. So yeah... I guess things could have been much worse. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBTZP4zaCDc/UhDrGJMy6vI/AAAAAAAAA-M/qAYhDIXhkDk/s1600/Landscape+note_20130818_233756_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBTZP4zaCDc/UhDrGJMy6vI/AAAAAAAAA-M/qAYhDIXhkDk/s640/Landscape+note_20130818_233756_01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I usually try to travel a little during my holidays, trying to experience this big beautiful mother earth. But this 2 weeks of holiday was a little different where I actually spend some time catching up with long lost friends, friends who grew up together with me, high school friends and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I traveled up north to Ipoh to spend some time with these ladies before they head back to the US.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V2XzgN9klM/UhDsggxPneI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/VADAe0TcsOE/s1600/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V2XzgN9klM/UhDsggxPneI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/VADAe0TcsOE/s640/IMG_1478.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From left to right: Michelle, me and Kendra</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With heavenly good food invading my stomach throughout my whole stay in Ipoh and good fellowship, I'd say I had a wonderful time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also traveled down south to Singapore to meet up with this crazy bastard:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noel Martin Smith!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With a drink in hand (I don't drink alcohol if you are wondering),</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and awesome music blasting throughout the night,</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1HAFvyvyd4/UhDvGO5hN2I/AAAAAAAAA-0/c7ASxiPWGMo/s1600/IMG_2100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1HAFvyvyd4/UhDvGO5hN2I/AAAAAAAAA-0/c7ASxiPWGMo/s640/IMG_2100.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we talked just like old times, catching up with one another and all in all having a good time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a saying which goes: "True friendship is forged only in high school and in the army". So I guess I'm pretty lucky to have quite a few good friends in my life. </span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-69899620834712050132013-08-01T05:27:00.001-07:002013-08-09T07:27:14.021-07:00The End of Year 2 Medical School!<span style="font-size: large;">In Medical School, students who either get an A for a certain subject or a borderline fail (scoring just below 50%) will have to undergo an interview called Viva. This Viva is usually conducted by a panel of professors and external examiners. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just to be clear, there are two types of Viva: Distinction Viva and Borderline Viva. Both types of Viva look something like this:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">A student sitting before a panel of stern-looking professors, bombarded with questions.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Borderline Viva, students will be asked the most basic of a certain subject. If the student manages to answer proficiently and satisfies the panel, the student passes that certain subject. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Distinction Viva on the other hand is a whole different story all together. To be eligible for Distinction Viva, one has to first score an A- in the theory paper. The questions asked by the panel would be in depth and very detailed answers are required. If the panel is impressed, the student will now get an A with distinction. If the panel is dissatisfied, the student still gets the A, but without the distinction. The whole aim is to determine whether the student has superior knowledge of a certain subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My professional exams ended two days ago and one day after that, the name lists for Distinction Viva and Borderline Viva were posted on the announcement board. To my great delight, I was called for Distinction Viva for Pharmacology and Pathology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok... honestly, it wasn't really to "my great delight". It was more of a mixed feeling, happy I got an A but terrified I wouldn't be able to answer the questions and make a fool of myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I actually contemplated not going for the Viva but in the end I decided to be a man and do the right thing. Just go for it, talk clearly and confidently then get out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So early in the morning the next day, all the Viva candidates, both borderline and distinction were quarantined in a room waiting for our turn to come. Everybody was feverishly reading and rereading notes accumulated throughout the whole year, hoping that by some miracle, the questions asked would be something we just read. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Distinction Viva candidates </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After pacing up and down, walking almost 10 miles and practising for the upteempth time how I was going to greet the professors, my turn came at last. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first Viva was Pharmacology. Just in case you are wondering, Pharmacology is the study of drugs where we learn the type of drugs, their mechanism of action, side effects, pharmacokinetics and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I walked into the room confidently, delivered my very well practised greetings and took a seat and looked at the panel of professors which comprised of 2 of my Pharmacology professors: Prof Dr Kombara & Dr Igor, an external examiner whom I can't seem to recall her name and Prof Dr Aminuddin who is one of the best Physiology professor in Malaysia. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGFQBGtcVH8/UfpS72PxcqI/AAAAAAAAA90/Z5LAv-wt1Do/s1600/Landscape+note_20130801_003544_02%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGFQBGtcVH8/UfpS72PxcqI/AAAAAAAAA90/Z5LAv-wt1Do/s640/Landscape+note_20130801_003544_02%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With their no-nonsenses and stern expression, it was very "soothing" to my already racing heart. I was introduced by Prof Dr Aminuddin to the external examiner and he mentioned I did triathlon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So with my slightly hypertrophied heart hammering against my ribcage, the questioning began. The first question I got was: "Say you are participating in a marathon race and the price money is 1 million dollars, what drugs would you take if you want to win this race?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without any hesitation, I blurted out the first thing on my mind: "I don't need any drugs, prof. I'd win that race on my own capability."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That brought a bout of laughter from the professors and I started to feel a little better. So with the ice broken, I managed to answer smoothly and confidently most of the questions thrown at me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best, I'd say I scored a 7 or 8 for that viva. Let's hope I get a distinction for Pharmacology.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I left the Pharmacology Viva, I started to wonder why was I so afraid of this Viva, it was not too bad after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was horrifically reminded why when I went for the Pathology Viva. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know the feeling of shame you get when a teacher asks you a question in front of the whole class and you get the answer wrong or you don't know the answer to the questions? Recall that feeling and now multiply that feeling by 13 times. Then you'll begin to understand how I felt during the pathology viva.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our body has its own mechanism to cope with stress. Under stressful stimulation, our pupils will dilate allowing us to have better vision; our blood vessels also dilate, allowing better oxygen supply.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pathology Viva was so stressful that my pupils dilated so wide that my contact lens dropped out and my blood vessels in my face dilated so wide that my face was filled to the brim with oxygenated blood making me blush super bright red. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was so red that the professors had to put on sunglasses just to look at me.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maMYKa9yZW4/UfpS-VUCXsI/AAAAAAAAA98/Qz08yG4XDUo/s1600/Landscape+note_20130801_003544_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maMYKa9yZW4/UfpS-VUCXsI/AAAAAAAAA98/Qz08yG4XDUo/s640/Landscape+note_20130801_003544_03.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After squirming in my seat for what was like 8 hours 32 minutes and 56 seconds to me, the interview finally ended and I went out with my tail tucked in between my legs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the moral of the story, if there is one, is that I'll have to brush up my Pathology before I go to my clinical years in a few months' time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, a few big things to look forward to would be our 2 weeks of holidays (yay!) and our elective posting to Bangkok's Medical University. Till then...</span>Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-77334855729138408882013-07-08T04:03:00.000-07:002013-08-07T21:24:20.524-07:00Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak<span style="font-size: large;">After rotting at home for the first few days of the holidays, I decided to go somewhere and make the best of my short holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Out of all the various destinations, I had to pick one that was adventurous and interesting, not only for me but also for my sister and parents. So that canceled any outdoor adventures leaving only those family vacation suitable places like maybe the zoo or Disneyland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then out of the blue, my mum suggested that we go to Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak. That got my curiosity and after a quick search online, Gunung Mulu National Park had my attention. Gunung Mulu National park offers a wide range of activities ranging from adventure caving to conquering the pinnacles. So Gunung Mulu National Park it is!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uiw6rzobp-Y/UdqbFy7W1nI/AAAAAAAAA8I/KShCeuxy8v4/s1600/IMG_8833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uiw6rzobp-Y/UdqbFy7W1nI/AAAAAAAAA8I/KShCeuxy8v4/s640/IMG_8833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This decision was made on Tuesday night and we planned to leave on Thursday morning. Very little time and so much to do. A rough itinerary was quickly planned and the flight tickets and lodging were secured that night itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to bore you to death with every detail of this trip. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll list the highlights of this trip starting from the most exciting. Then just before I end, I'll tell you where to stay and how to get to Mulu National park if you are planning a trip. Just read on if you intend to see those details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So at the top of my list would be adventure caving. There are 3 levels of adventure caving: Beginner, Intermediate and Advance. I wanted to do the Advance but one of the requirements was that we'll have to complete at least one Intermediate Adventure Caving session. So we did the Racer Cave Adventure Caving which was at Intermediate level. The "we" includes my sister and me. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i32DnurjaM/Udp15gmk3iI/AAAAAAAAA5M/aBULcwqtwLg/s1600/IMG_9669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i32DnurjaM/Udp15gmk3iI/AAAAAAAAA5M/aBULcwqtwLg/s640/IMG_9669.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was going: "Why couldn't we choose the beginner one, this is my first time!" But in the end, she proved to be an exceptionally good climber, overcoming all the obstacles thrown at her. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5YJqCaSLHE/Udp1H9VLhhI/AAAAAAAAA40/vCy3yhbgJms/s1600/IMG_9620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5YJqCaSLHE/Udp1H9VLhhI/AAAAAAAAA40/vCy3yhbgJms/s640/IMG_9620.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I will show you how Racer Cave looks like: just close your eyes really tightly and now look around you with your eyes still closed. That was more or less what I saw....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nah I'm joking, the interior of the cave was beautifully dark but no good photos as it was really, really dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had to climb and crawl and squeeze to get to the end and back. Challenging and fun.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfMn5vPQxiY/Udp0y99_l2I/AAAAAAAAA4U/Ii3ZHFCS4oI/s1600/IMG_9515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfMn5vPQxiY/Udp0y99_l2I/AAAAAAAAA4U/Ii3ZHFCS4oI/s640/IMG_9515.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKXmsP-nQDY/Udp1MjczJGI/AAAAAAAAA48/KOjbDIkClEo/s1600/IMG_9557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKXmsP-nQDY/Udp1MjczJGI/AAAAAAAAA48/KOjbDIkClEo/s640/IMG_9557.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rmg1CfPMkSs/Udp11x6mL2I/AAAAAAAAA5E/MRBd-HtTWzc/s1600/IMG_9671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rmg1CfPMkSs/Udp11x6mL2I/AAAAAAAAA5E/MRBd-HtTWzc/s640/IMG_9671.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wildlife in the cave is pretty interesting too. I saw one racer snake. The cave is called Racer Cave because of the abundant presence of racer snakes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cR28LE9rqlI/Udp1Ar5cPMI/AAAAAAAAA4k/zKM7gF0siXg/s1600/IMG_9528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cR28LE9rqlI/Udp1Ar5cPMI/AAAAAAAAA4k/zKM7gF0siXg/s640/IMG_9528.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many spiders.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov2mvO0TbYU/Udp1FYSFzzI/AAAAAAAAA4s/f_2fyHRA1ok/s1600/IMG_9573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov2mvO0TbYU/Udp1FYSFzzI/AAAAAAAAA4s/f_2fyHRA1ok/s640/IMG_9573.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And bats. What cave would be complete without bats?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myaE82xATw0/Udp3YV2Nz5I/AAAAAAAAA5k/14xpq_L-Pfs/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myaE82xATw0/Udp3YV2Nz5I/AAAAAAAAA5k/14xpq_L-Pfs/s640/IMG_9206.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next on my list would be the Bat Exodus.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXiK_prnop4/UdqBWatwwII/AAAAAAAAA5w/OM7sgZMPmQI/s1600/IMG_9016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXiK_prnop4/UdqBWatwwII/AAAAAAAAA5w/OM7sgZMPmQI/s640/IMG_9016.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The flight of 3 million bats out from their cave at dusk in search of food. The way they fly out is very unique. First they'll circle at the mouth of the cave electing their leader.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otbup_Ul6w0/UdqBdcKl6lI/AAAAAAAAA6E/TKllDdccAb8/s1600/IMG_9383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otbup_Ul6w0/UdqBdcKl6lI/AAAAAAAAA6E/TKllDdccAb8/s640/IMG_9383.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure how their election happens but I'm sure magic blackouts have no effect here as they are continuously enveloped in darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the leader is chosen, the leader will then lead a wave/pack of bats out into the night. Flying over 100km and eating as much as 15 tons of bugs.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veelJXiaJxw/UdqBblUcm7I/AAAAAAAAA58/o-sy4qTVEGo/s1600/IMG_9442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-veelJXiaJxw/UdqBblUcm7I/AAAAAAAAA58/o-sy4qTVEGo/s640/IMG_9442.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a sight to behold. A trip to Gunung Mulu National Park isn't complete without seeing the Bat Exodus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the last but definitely not the least on my list, the tours to the caves: Deer Cave, Lang Cave, Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVO0u4lTnjk/UdqEwvCGM_I/AAAAAAAAA6g/m-6m4Vw1rmw/s1600/IMG_9266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVO0u4lTnjk/UdqEwvCGM_I/AAAAAAAAA6g/m-6m4Vw1rmw/s640/IMG_9266.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I witnessed the majesty of the caves and learned a lot about the many formations in the caves. Pretty interesting I would say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Out of all the photos taken on this trip, I find this photo the most special:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZjXAyiURTE/UdqHU2bV3WI/AAAAAAAAA64/MRSjarSP7ng/s1600/IMG_9153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6YEA_Jjbf8/UduTvYASJII/AAAAAAAAA8Y/4zM3_1ilA1Q/s1600/IMG_9153-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6YEA_Jjbf8/UduTvYASJII/AAAAAAAAA8Y/4zM3_1ilA1Q/s640/IMG_9153-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A photo of a Penan native woman. Her face filled with a maze of wrinkles accumulated after years and years of hardship in the jungle. Her eyes sad and forlorn starring into your very soul. I wonder what her life story is?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another nice photo is a photo of a caged wild pig in the native village. It seemed resigned, accepting its fate to be food for men. With sad eyes and a turned-up nose posing for a last photo before sacrificing itself to satisfy the tummies of a lucky family.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22r5b_SbIPs/UdqHT0iwNoI/AAAAAAAAA60/K_h9CozN6ow/s1600/IMG_9122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22r5b_SbIPs/UdqHT0iwNoI/AAAAAAAAA60/K_h9CozN6ow/s640/IMG_9122.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ooops! Wrong picture </span>(there are similarities though :P)<span style="font-size: large;">. Here is the sad wild boar. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6p4qWzjB8k/UdqO3wnU1TI/AAAAAAAAA7I/0vXZoyF26DM/s1600/IMG_9177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6p4qWzjB8k/UdqO3wnU1TI/AAAAAAAAA7I/0vXZoyF26DM/s640/IMG_9177.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I end my story of Gunung Mulu National Park here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read on if you want to know the more technical details of this trip like where to stay and how to get there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are planning to go to Mulu National Park but don't know how to get there and where to stay, allow me the pleasure of enlightening you. The fastest way to get there is obviously by flight. From Kuala Lumpur you would have to get to Miri, Sarawak then from there you get another flight to Mulu, Sarawak. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eu63Wfn_6Lg/UdqT_vswzlI/AAAAAAAAA7g/4y8wXZKKZJw/s1600/Idea+note_20130708_182416_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eu63Wfn_6Lg/UdqT_vswzlI/AAAAAAAAA7g/4y8wXZKKZJw/s640/Idea+note_20130708_182416_01.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend Malindo Airlines to get to Miri from Kuala Lumpur. Super cheap even though I booked the tickets last minute. It cost us RM109 including baggage allowance, a meal and tax. It even had in-flight entertainment and more spacious seats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only one airline flies from Miri to Mulu, MASwings. This half an hour journey cost THE MOST! The flight ticket itself was cheap but the tax.... Bloody corrup-taib-tion. It cost us around RM400 per person for this half an hour flight from Miri to Mulu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The airplane they used was interesting though. Haven't seen an air plane with its propellers outside.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8e5n36W9qo/Udp00i69CtI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Sq_gReaZv08/s1600/IMG_8828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8e5n36W9qo/Udp00i69CtI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Sq_gReaZv08/s640/IMG_8828.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZKloJVUNVM/Udp2Cho8ELI/AAAAAAAAA5U/PcmCDuvVhLI/s1600/IMG_8817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZKloJVUNVM/Udp2Cho8ELI/AAAAAAAAA5U/PcmCDuvVhLI/s640/IMG_8817.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The basic layout of the whole Mulu is something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj74ijdsho0/UdqVUckNViI/AAAAAAAAA7w/2-l0uRX20fo/s1600/Idea+note_20130708_182416_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj74ijdsho0/UdqVUckNViI/AAAAAAAAA7w/2-l0uRX20fo/s640/Idea+note_20130708_182416_02.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upon arriving at the airport, you can walk from the airport to the park. Not too far a distance. Transport is provided for RM 5 per person though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend staying in either the Mulu National Park itself or at River lodge since it is just next to the park, making things very easy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The river lodge is dormitory style: one big room with 30 beds. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJDqk7XCeMQ/UdqVyHSbYjI/AAAAAAAAA74/EQT2bU9XWhY/s1600/IMG_9121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJDqk7XCeMQ/UdqVyHSbYjI/AAAAAAAAA74/EQT2bU9XWhY/s640/IMG_9121.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For RM 35 a night, I'd say it is not too bad, with clean toilets and beds. They provide meals too. There is a restaurant right next to River Lodge if you don't feel like eating at the lodge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are two choices when staying at Mulu National park: dormitory or bungalow. Did not stay there so I can't say much but it looks clean and provides the basic necessities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No tour agency is needed. You can just go to the Mulu National Park, get your park ticket then choose what activities you wanna do. The guides are really friendly and will be more than willing to help plan your itinerary for your stay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope this information helps a little. </span><br />
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-14082389229870877032013-07-01T06:13:00.000-07:002013-08-07T21:34:27.217-07:003 wishes?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You know the feeling of being able to see the sun shining in a clear blue haze-less sky? After days of being shrouded and choked by haze, the sight of the sun is a very, very welcome sight. It is as if the bright sun is smiling down upon us saying:" Hey, everything is gonna be alright now!" </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo0ibr-gHKM/UdFlZqqCeXI/AAAAAAAAA2g/LXiqAz6NOLs/s1600/IMG_6060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo0ibr-gHKM/UdFlZqqCeXI/AAAAAAAAA2g/LXiqAz6NOLs/s640/IMG_6060.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That was exactly how I felt when we got news of a 1-week break after our End Semester 2 Examinations before continuing our preparations for the Professional Exams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So yeah, I'm back in Melaka for the week and I'll enjoy and relax before heading back for some really serious studying. So anyone up for an expedition?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was looking through some old files and I stumbled upon this: Shimri's Prayer Book.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t7fWArS9Aw/UdFm9HQXPeI/AAAAAAAAA24/A_9Gz9GaU7s/s1600/20130701_175812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t7fWArS9Aw/UdFm9HQXPeI/AAAAAAAAA24/A_9Gz9GaU7s/s640/20130701_175812.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing as how my dad is a pastor, almost everything is prayed for, all the big decisions of life, sickness, injury and stuff. So this so called book (more of a file) is where the big decisions of my life are written down and my dad would know what to pray for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have never noticed it but most of the things I do write down actually come true, one way or another. So it is like my very own wish book. I wonder how many wishes do I have left?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me show you what I wrote down in 2009 before my SPM and before I even joined the National Defence University to pursue my degree in Medicine and Defence Health. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSsZgSIxeeg/UdFm--A3kBI/AAAAAAAAA3E/nfVSz0AVxes/s1600/20130701_185627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSsZgSIxeeg/UdFm--A3kBI/AAAAAAAAA3E/nfVSz0AVxes/s640/20130701_185627.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pardon my hand writing, I have been training since birth to write like a doctor. Here, let me type the list out so you'll see it better:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) Pray for right shoulder</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) Further studies??</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Be a soldier in a high class country</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) Determination to study & train hard</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5) Possible to go to Judo tournament in Japan </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Out of these 5 things, every single one has been granted. Judo tournament in Japan? Check! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Kx-cOCKrBA/UdF72KrM66I/AAAAAAAAA3g/X6pfYp1xFOY/s400/DSCN1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Kx-cOCKrBA/UdF72KrM66I/AAAAAAAAA3g/X6pfYp1xFOY/s640/DSCN1815.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1e5FOhieA8/UdF75VWZwZI/AAAAAAAAA3o/7S_zDHWeWmY/s400/DSCN1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1e5FOhieA8/UdF75VWZwZI/AAAAAAAAA3o/7S_zDHWeWmY/s640/DSCN1808.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Further studies? Check! Determination? Check! Right shoulder? Ah here is a good story:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not many of you know it but back in 2008 I sustained an injury to my right shoulder. It was during a judo sparring session when my opponent got me in an arm lock, being the stubborn hot headed teenager who never wants to lose, I refused to surrender and as a result my arm was over-twisted and I sustained an injury called shoulder subluxation. It is similar to dislocation but it is partial and temporary, meaning that my shoulder is not totally dislodged and it returns back to the original position after a while. And it hurts. A lot.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvrcP2JwTQQ/UdFvIBRWyoI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/iJ9If41ofRg/s320/model_1-shoulder.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="314" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The glenohumeral joint is a flexible ball-socket joint. And mine is a little too flexible being able to move in and out of the socket.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This injury affected me badly, my movements with my right shoulder were severely limited. I could not throw a ball, play badminton, throw a punch, make any rotating movements without my shoulder "falling out". I lost confidence in my shoulder and thus my performance in swimming and judo slowly dwindled, becoming stagnant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back then, sports was a very big thing to me (still is), it defined me. So the lost of my shoulder was like losing part of me. I was stressed up and depressed though I did not show it, I kept it bottled up inside me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To release all the bottled up tension, I did the only thing I could: running. So when I could not swim, I ran; When I could not practice judo, I ran; when I was feeling sore and bitter, I ran. And I was sore and bitter a lot, why did this have to happen to me?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all the running, my stamina slowly increased and I became quite a good runner even winning silver medal in the 1,500m district level tournament. Little did I know that I was actually being prepared to become a triathlete. Imagine if I was not injured, I would have just continued being a swimmer and swimmers can't run (different muscle used). So yeah, my point is everything happens for a reason and it's cool how everything worked out in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to my main story of the day, the prayer list. If you noticed the third item on the list: be a soldier in a high class country. Well, part of that prayer is granted, I am a soldier but in a high class country??? Positive thinking means that it is actually great news for our country! We are going to be a high class country sometime soon since I requested to be a soldier of a high class country, and I am a soldier of Malaysia. So let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or perhaps my handwriting is too terrible to be understood and we are all doomed to never be high class....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a nice picture of my grandma to cheer you up after such dark thoughts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My grandma beaming with her new pair of Mizuno shoes. " A thousand mile journey begins with the first step", so I may make a runner of my grandma yet. Don't be surprised to see an old woman wearing that exact same pair of shoes overtakes you during your evening run.</span></div>
Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-2795969779150175802013-06-16T20:33:00.000-07:002013-08-08T07:58:11.610-07:00Many Happy Returns!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-Y1htTRE9k/Ub3XTyoglFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/sOpLJFvk4qs/s1600/60703_10151091127104364_1391430426_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-Y1htTRE9k/Ub3XTyoglFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/sOpLJFvk4qs/s640/60703_10151091127104364_1391430426_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My 21st Birthday Party</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is how a normal birthday celebration looks like. Surrounded by friends and family, enjoying one another's company while celebrating the birthday of a love one.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYqbNLiAtOg/Ub3lknewI2I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Bx99ibGRb9E/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FYqbNLiAtOg/Ub3lknewI2I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Bx99ibGRb9E/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My 21st Birthday "Party"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this is how birthday celebrations are in the camp. I was somewhere beneath these bastards, fighting to breathe as they tried to restrain me and carry out whatever devious plan installed. It doesn't matter how strong one is or how good a fighter you are, eventually you'll be overwhelmed by sheer number and have to succumb to their will. This is a tradition of some sort for us and it is fun when you are not the victim</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you remember Pidot and Webek, my fellow "pilgrims" who went to Sabah with me. Well, their birthday is just round the corner and I decided to organize a civilised celebration for them. No stripping, no cold dirty water, no eggs, no nothing. Just a simple get-together before our exams. We even "imported" Pidot's girlfriend all the way from Perak just to surprise him.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1u0gIC-95s/Ub28DXM1WDI/AAAAAAAAAvw/88PBK1Atd6c/s1600/IMG_7211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1u0gIC-95s/Ub28DXM1WDI/AAAAAAAAAvw/88PBK1Atd6c/s640/IMG_7211.jpg" width="504" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From left: Fatin (Pidot's GF) & Farah (Our Black Widow)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The party started with a jubilant and astonished expression from Pidot when his girlfriend, Fatin entered the room.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtM-pta9sTA/Ub28ETBonVI/AAAAAAAAAwA/9hEfQDTG36I/s1600/IMG_7268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="580" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtM-pta9sTA/Ub28ETBonVI/AAAAAAAAAwA/9hEfQDTG36I/s640/IMG_7268.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEC9Ouu4yHQ/Ub28EAYiDNI/AAAAAAAAAv8/9DQKBGZYUpo/s640/IMG_7269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pidot on the far left, smiling from ear to ear. Webek next to Pidot waiting for his "girlfriend" to come too.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEC9Ouu4yHQ/Ub28EAYiDNI/AAAAAAAAAv8/9DQKBGZYUpo/s1600/IMG_7269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a chorus of happy birthday from us, the party proceeded like any other party should. With music serenading us, good food to satisfy our tummies, smiles on everybody's face and love in the air.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feMHE_anXrc/Ub28HCuSE-I/AAAAAAAAAwg/9ogdMO_7fl8/s1600/IMG_7351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feMHE_anXrc/Ub28HCuSE-I/AAAAAAAAAwg/9ogdMO_7fl8/s640/IMG_7351.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7drhbt2Zcc4/Ub28HndQrOI/AAAAAAAAAwo/P4CHwZhjDWI/s1600/IMG_7358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="550" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7drhbt2Zcc4/Ub28HndQrOI/AAAAAAAAAwo/P4CHwZhjDWI/s640/IMG_7358.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then it was time for our group photo session by our faculty's small pond which is foul smelling and infested with parasites.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDdYOX8hjBk/Ub28JvidHWI/AAAAAAAAAw8/sSvOKKCocwM/s1600/IMG_7375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDdYOX8hjBk/Ub28JvidHWI/AAAAAAAAAw8/sSvOKKCocwM/s640/IMG_7375.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing as how this party was supposed to be a civilised one, we had no evil intention of throwing people into the pond, none whatsoever. But for some unknown reason, Webek the birthday boy got suspicious and tried to make a run half-way through the photo session.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWCLY3YIB_4/Ub28JuCPsHI/AAAAAAAAAw0/G2FxZLeZXeY/s1600/IMG_7383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWCLY3YIB_4/Ub28JuCPsHI/AAAAAAAAAw0/G2FxZLeZXeY/s640/IMG_7383.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know how predators instinctively chase anything which tries running from them? Like how lions chase down a dear who spots the lion and dashes away. The primeval instinct of hunting it is called, anything which runs from you is prey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Same scenario here. Webek's try for freedom awoke the beast in us and the birthday boys were quickly caught and thrown into the pond.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4bUhb0UTQg/Ub28Kfy9DpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/uasV2QFCg5c/s1600/IMG_7390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4bUhb0UTQg/Ub28Kfy9DpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/uasV2QFCg5c/s640/IMG_7390.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFrvBoag2o/Ub28LwuG3-I/AAAAAAAAAxI/jIjac8gdbUU/s1600/IMG_7395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFrvBoag2o/Ub28LwuG3-I/AAAAAAAAAxI/jIjac8gdbUU/s640/IMG_7395.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mayhem erupted as more more were caught and thrown into the pond.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5V52JsPSdw/Ub28NQmZ1JI/AAAAAAAAAxY/4p86ds2t-_E/s1600/IMG_7409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5V52JsPSdw/Ub28NQmZ1JI/AAAAAAAAAxY/4p86ds2t-_E/s640/IMG_7409.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somehow or rather, there was a packet of flour lying around which we conveniently used.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0oBuDZalk4/Ub28M8Vs0TI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/UL9cU4b8y5I/s1600/IMG_7418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0oBuDZalk4/Ub28M8Vs0TI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/UL9cU4b8y5I/s640/IMG_7418.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcnzUljQE7k/Ub28PL_tSMI/AAAAAAAAAxo/BlGsjrXHCIo/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcnzUljQE7k/Ub28PL_tSMI/AAAAAAAAAxo/BlGsjrXHCIo/s640/IMG_7455.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">'I hereby baptise you! Be good and go to church!'</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bG3XvaD7810/Ub28SQGqlQI/AAAAAAAAAx8/n8p1XLPzx0Q/s1600/IMG_7467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bG3XvaD7810/Ub28SQGqlQI/AAAAAAAAAx8/n8p1XLPzx0Q/s640/IMG_7467.jpg" width="536" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ladies or guys doesn't matter, in you go with a splatter.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So much for our "civilised" party.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8on_zY1TDbA/Ub28TLvFDPI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1L0S--Ci8MM/s1600/IMG_7487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8on_zY1TDbA/Ub28TLvFDPI/AAAAAAAAAyI/1L0S--Ci8MM/s640/IMG_7487.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like this photo. Notice the water hitting Selvan in the face.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8YAHEAjwmWE/Ub28U8etBRI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WNiIDUzH8tQ/s1600/IMG_7490.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8YAHEAjwmWE/Ub28U8etBRI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WNiIDUzH8tQ/s640/IMG_7490.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-53691047990895882942013-06-08T09:56:00.000-07:002013-06-08T10:19:41.193-07:00Newton's First Law of Motion<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Newton's first law of motion states that: An object at rest remain at rest unless acted upon by a force and an object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by a force. In other words, objects at rest tends to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So once a task has begun, it should be relatively easy to continue doing it, no matter how unpleasant or tiring. So with that in mind, I decided to get my revision for the coming exams in motion, hoping it'll get easier along the way and I'll be well prepared for the finals exams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On friday night, I planned my entire revision schedule starting from the very next day, Saturday till 2 days before the exam. I was optimistic I could be well prepared and thus I went to bed in high spirits ready to kick ass the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as I fell asleep, I was abruptly awoken by someone shaking me and this greeted me the moment I opened my eyes:</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkrBGp93nUM/UbMvQZ7KPjI/AAAAAAAAAqk/sj9KKhKJn1k/s1600/IMG_7047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkrBGp93nUM/UbMvQZ7KPjI/AAAAAAAAAqk/sj9KKhKJn1k/s640/IMG_7047.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wake up Shimri!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What happend was that a new set of orders were just given whereby we were to undergo military training the next morning instead of having a free and easy day. So in the middle of the night, we had to drag ourselves out of bed and prepare our gears and equipments for our Obstacle Course Training scheduled for the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Saturday came, we the medical cadets, dressed in Full-Service-Marching-Order and a Styer AUG strapped to our back,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Marched</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2y4ksVO5XDU/UbNOAWJH85I/AAAAAAAAAq0/gdyDJg73HMc/s1600/IMG_6103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2y4ksVO5XDU/UbNOAWJH85I/AAAAAAAAAq0/gdyDJg73HMc/s640/IMG_6103.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Climbed</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scaled walls</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSuitQ-ne9Y/UbNOec6Qx6I/AAAAAAAAArw/A5GetS7NoB8/s1600/IMG_6520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSuitQ-ne9Y/UbNOec6Qx6I/AAAAAAAAArw/A5GetS7NoB8/s640/IMG_6520.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Swung across monkey bars</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jumped off "cliffs"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got dirty and muddy with friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pushed on with a smile, even through exhaustion</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And at the end of the day, we the medical cadets composing of individual from different races, different backgrounds and different personalities all worked together, conquering our fears and achieving new personal achievements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I was asked to name the most important lesson I have learnt since joining the army, I'd say it is "Positive Attitude". I could have been angry as this military exercise messed up my studying schedule, I could have sulked and thrown a tantrum throughout this whole exercise. But since we had to do this exercise, I might else well go through this training with a smile on my face, enjoying it to the max, learning new stuff and gaining new experiences. That is the positive attitude I have learnt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I was the one with the camera, pictures of me are pitifully few. So here is one of the few pictures of me to end this post. Cheers :)</span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-27034606536770823862013-05-27T08:38:00.000-07:002013-05-27T08:40:25.954-07:00The Story of My "Penance" <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently standing in the parade square for our nightly roll call which would take another hour or so. So I might else well take this time to tell you the story of fulfilling my promise to go to church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Early Sunday morning saw me eating Cha Quey Tiao at Petaling Street for breakfast. I actually wanted to enjoy my favourite beef noodles but it was not open that early. Well, after breakfast, with a drink in my hand, I made my way to KL Wesley Church which was nearby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along the way, I passed by this coffee shop which was empty except for 3 people. There were 2 typical Chinese gangster sharing a table dressed in singlets, tattoos on the arms, legs on the chair, smoking and talking really loud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting directly opposite them was this Malay man.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oj5Fr6iTLo/UaNl39CzwrI/AAAAAAAAApg/ihC-rCuywnY/s1600/Sketches_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oj5Fr6iTLo/UaNl39CzwrI/AAAAAAAAApg/ihC-rCuywnY/s640/Sketches_17.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, let me rephrase. Sitting directly opposite them was this giant malay behemoth.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwZuZVq8V24/UaNl4EfSgnI/AAAAAAAAAps/_K8yEVWnewE/s1600/Sketches_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwZuZVq8V24/UaNl4EfSgnI/AAAAAAAAAps/_K8yEVWnewE/s640/Sketches_18.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I swear he looked exactly like this picture minus the songkok. Now imagine the biggest man you have ever seen, triple that then you'll know what I'm talking about. The most prominent features of that giant were his forearms, they were about as thick my thighs and his belly which looked as if he was pregnant with a teenager. Just the sight of him was enough to instill fear in your heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as I passed the coffee shop, chaos occurred. I did not see it happened though. I heard shouts, chairs falling, tables overturning. By the time I rush to see what was going on. I was greeted by the sight of the behemoth single-handedly overpowering the gangsters, pinning them to a table.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Wz-ceKLz8/UaNl4JD20vI/AAAAAAAAApk/MMvUUEXF424/s1600/Sketches_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Wz-ceKLz8/UaNl4JD20vI/AAAAAAAAApk/MMvUUEXF424/s640/Sketches_19.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The behemoth was roaring in malay: "KAU JANGAN BERGERAK! TANGAN LETAK ATAS!!!" (Do not move! Hands up!!) As the gangster meekly obeyed, raising their hands, they were efficiently handcuffed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"BERDIRI!" ordered the behemoth in voice so ferocious and commanding I had no choice but to stand at attention too. After the duo was quickly frisked for weapons, they were led away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who would have thought that going to church could be so interesting huh? </span></div>
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Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767292323821663817.post-33641404191733332732013-05-25T09:29:00.000-07:002013-05-25T09:29:59.364-07:00Avengers Initiative <span style="font-size: large;">For the past two weekends, I have been participating in the Malakoff University Duathlon Series (MUDS) organised by Quick Release Adventures. As far as I know, the whole show is run by two superwomen/supermum: Adele Cheah & Melody Tan. Thumbs up for the very professionally organised races and am looking forward to the last of the series which is next Saturday, 1st of June. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently not really at my fittest, to say I'm fit is really stretching thin the definition of fit. So with the current level of fitness, I was actually in a kind of dilema. How to defend my tittle as the University Men Duathlete of The Year?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, my plan was simple. I'll go all out! Run and cycle as if my life depended on it. So no more confident and relax race atmosphere but rather a painful and desperate struggle to maintain my lead position. I was extremely grateful and relief I managed to emerge first in my category in both legs of the duathlon series albiet by a smaller margin compared to last year. Very good wake up call to buck up in my training!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was running my butt off racing in duathlons, my fellow comrades were also doing the same in the camp. Not a duathlon but rather a 12k long march clad in Full-Service-Marching-Order (FSMO) and a Styer AUG in hand. So they looked something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLMekysQLi0/UaDXdrMznNI/AAAAAAAAAo4/C-4KnyuRspA/s1600/IMAG5980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLMekysQLi0/UaDXdrMznNI/AAAAAAAAAo4/C-4KnyuRspA/s640/IMAG5980.jpg" width="406" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Helping and encouraging one another, determine to reach the finishing line together.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIM5J0HHCmE/UaDYFSlPCmI/AAAAAAAAApA/rqfMt7MOg1c/s1600/IMAG5965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIM5J0HHCmE/UaDYFSlPCmI/AAAAAAAAApA/rqfMt7MOg1c/s640/IMAG5965.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Notice how quite a number of ladies are seen in the above picture? Yes, they actually complete the same distance as the guys and carry the same load. So don't be fool by their sweet innocent looks, these ladies are tough as nails and will beat you senseless if you are not careful. They are like the Black Widow in the Avengers. Simply stunning in looks and lethal in fights.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8WJ60vXcCc/UaDAuC0YjeI/AAAAAAAAAoY/IRHdzyK4ihg/s1600/Scarlet+Johansson+Avengers+HD+Wallpaper++%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8WJ60vXcCc/UaDAuC0YjeI/AAAAAAAAAoY/IRHdzyK4ihg/s640/Scarlet+Johansson+Avengers+HD+Wallpaper++%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come to think of it, we have so many Avengers potential here that it is relatively easy to form a Malaysian version of the Avengers. In fact, there is already such a team called the Malavengers. So introducing the members..</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have Farah, our black widow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Equally stunning and lethal. Looking adorable and cute as she shoots you to death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shimri our very own Iron Man who specialises in swimming, cycling and running. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pidot the Hawk Eye who will shoot you before you can say: "Oh my!"</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lYFpWHqR5s/UaDAmxVz4aI/AAAAAAAAAoA/gy6wEWPn--I/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lYFpWHqR5s/UaDAmxVz4aI/AAAAAAAAAoA/gy6wEWPn--I/s640/IMG_5948.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Captain Malaysia Ray, standing tall and proud.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RFHcwEc25s/UaDAvKE0klI/AAAAAAAAAog/DKU3wQR_0Mo/s1600/IMG_5972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RFHcwEc25s/UaDAvKE0klI/AAAAAAAAAog/DKU3wQR_0Mo/s640/IMG_5972.jpg" width="342" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vic-thor burned after being struck by lightning. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pS3qzyBp65k/UaDAtOy19jI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/N3Q313vcEzw/s1600/IMG_5961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pS3qzyBp65k/UaDAtOy19jI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/N3Q313vcEzw/s640/IMG_5961.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And last but not least, the one character which completes the Malavengers..... The one! The only! The one and only SELVAN as the hulk!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*drum roll*</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMF-y850wDA/UaDAXnJph0I/AAAAAAAAAno/6hXKQ1iTKJ8/s1600/IMG_5910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMF-y850wDA/UaDAXnJph0I/AAAAAAAAAno/6hXKQ1iTKJ8/s640/IMG_5910.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSWm7RPKJ3A/UaDAXoxMpOI/AAAAAAAAAnw/KTs5bAEHBS8/s1600/IMG_5901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSWm7RPKJ3A/UaDAXoxMpOI/AAAAAAAAAnw/KTs5bAEHBS8/s640/IMG_5901.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Malavengers, protecting Malaysia from illegal immigrants and the accursed blackouts. Championing for democracy and people's rights. And all in all fighting against corrup-taib-tion. </span></div>
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Disclaimer: The above few pictures are purely for entertainment. They do represent anybody or any organisation. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do accept this sincere apology if you are offended.</div>
Lim Shimrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11199138781933270559noreply@blogger.com0