No-Pilot Mode

Salam..

Alhamdulillah, I managed to squeeze some time to jot a word or two in this page.. To be honest, much has happened in the last few months that blogging was way down on priority list.. As a matter of fact, despite many of you had thought Ina was at home all along, it is not solely true.. She is back to work! So, you can only imagine what our schedule is like.. And what our house looks like!

June
June was quite a busy time for me.. I had loads of academic stuff going on and it took a lot of my time.. So, I will not bother you readers with my so-called educational strive..

One good thing that happened was my mom's birthday.. In all fairness, it was all Ina's brilliant idea.. We (and by 'we' I mean Ina) actually booked a surprise birthday present for mom.. It was a home delivery of a bouquet if flowers and a mocha cake.. But, I think Ina will disagree, and probably a bit disappointed, that they delivered the wrong flower and the wrong cake..

Mom with her birthday present - sent with love from Ireland

Believe me, the hard part was to make certain mom was at home at the time of delivery, without making her suspicious of the surprise plan..

June was also the month I bid farewell to Milford Care Centre.. Having worked there for a total of nine months, I suppose I will miss that place.. Despite not all people like to be working there, I enjoyed every bit of my time there.. I was sad to leave the service and move on to something almost totally opposite.. It felt like a farewell that I might not return to the place.. The first six months I was there, I knew I would be coming back later in 2010, bot not this time.. I got a cap from Dr Conroy and a book voucher from Dr Stodart as gifts.. I thank both of them whole-heartedly..

July
It was a new beginning for me.. I had decided that I want to do Emergency Medicine as a career pathway.. And so I did, having secured the job in Limerick before July came.. Unfortunately, instead of 8 SHOs, there are only six of us.. And we are short by one Registrar.. It only meant that the workload is greater and it will only get worse.. Nationally, there are 270 NCHD posts not filled on 1st of July, and the number is still increasing with people who have a job now opting to resign and flee the country.. It also means that training is getting more scarce as we speak..

Ina was also called to do a locum job given one Geriatric SHO had resigned and did not arrive on scene in Limerick on 1st of July.. Ina is doing a 3-month post as of now.. She will be back at home in October, insya-Allah..

August
It is only a few days in August and it feels like it is flying too quickly for my liking..

Erin celebrated her birthday back in Malaysia - unfortunately, being on-call on the day itself.. Zuhaili has now settled in UiTM in Medical Imaging, which is technically Radiography.. I haven't spoken with Intan for a while but last I checked she was managing okay.. Zaqwan is still in school at seems to do well..

As for me, life goes on with Ina here.. Where to next? I don't know yet.. Hoping to get an Anaesthetic SHO job in January as part of my own EM scheme.. Maybe look and assess my chances getting on to the Registrar Training Scheme for EM (SpR).. Otherwise, hmm.. Australia, maybe? I don't know.. I'm keeping my options open for now..

Well, Ramadhan is coming and before we know it, it will be Eid.. Alhamdulillah, I will be on leave on the week of Eid and the week after.. Unfortunately, because of shortage of SHOs, I am only now allowed to take one week off as annual leave after the night's week off.. It also means that traveling home to Malaysia will be difficult.. *Sigh*

Salam..

In desperation & hope..

Salam...

We were shocked by the news early yesterday morning.. the flotilla carrying aids to Gaza was attacked by the Israeli commandos.. and a number of aid workers were killed with a number of others were injured..When I first heard about the news, I held the tears at the back of my eyes.. these are people who are sending humanitarian aid.. they were in international water.. and the Palestinians are already waiting with hopes at the Gaza's bay..

Ya Allah.. it was too much for me to imagine.. it was too painful.. I felt helpless..

I've been following the news since yesterday morning & I hope so are you.. and keep the prayers going please.. the Israeli is trying to make it as if it was the mistake of these humanitarian workers.. take note of these & make your family, friends & colleagues understand:

1. Israeli were saying it was their right of self defense.. they said it was a threat to them so they have the right to block the aids..
what about the Palestinians? they were denied the rights to live.. they couldn't even have cement to rebuild their houses.. most everything going into Palestine need to go through Israel.. (some go through Rafah).. they're controlling the quantity of things that can go through which clearly are way less than what are needed in Palestine.. what right does Israel has to be the 'custom checkpoint'?? what self defense are they talking about? these are not warships.. these are humanitarian aid..

2. Israeli said they have been offering to channel the aids through their land..
these ships are carrying things including those that are needed by Palestinians but are banned by Israeli.. they carried medical & reconstruction supplies, children toys.. do you think by surrendering to Israeli, they will keep their promises?? what would make them allow these banned items to go through this time when they have been banning them, like since forever??

3. Israeli suspects the ships are carrying weapons to be smuggled..
I watched the news yesterday.. the reporters have been interviewing a few protesters in UK including those that have been sending humanitarian aid before.. these are people who have experiences working with Palestinians & have been dealing with Israeli.. they are peace activist & humanitarian workers that has been working together despite of different religions.. they have worked beyond the restrictions of political issues.. and one of them said she knew these humanitarian workers in the ship.. they are her friends.. she knew the nature of Israeli,that they would shoot & kill anyone without needed to be provoked.. she told the reporter that each time they are sending out the ships, each ship has to go a thorough check according to the international laws.. there is no way that they can even have a firearm in the ship..

4. the commandos were being attacked first..
why did the commandos intrude the vessel in the first place? the vessel was in international water.. they have no right at all to 'touch' the flotilla.. they weren't being shot at from the flotilla.. they were the ones who intruded the flotilla.. and these humanitarian workers on the ship had said that they would send these aids by hook or by crook.. of course they wanted to protect what they're carrying even with their lives.. of course they were defensive & volatile when the commandos started arriving one by one onto the vessel.. they have no weapons other than what they have in the flotilla - metal bars, knives & whatever they could put their hands on.. if they have firearms as accused the Israeli, they probably would have shoot even before the commandos landed on the flotilla! amazingly no Israeli was shot dead.. commandos with full tactics & strategies have shot dead a number of humanitarian workers that have no firearms on them.. what a way to show that they are commandos!

As we already know, the Zionists have been successful in spreading propaganda before.. they are manipulative & I suspect they would be as manipulative as before in this matter.. so be proactive.. we need to make as many people understand the true situation.. we need to start fighting the idea that they're trying hard to put into the minds of people (that they are not entirely guilty in this matter).. use whatever media you can.. the plain basic truth is that they have attacked a humanitarian aid in international water & have killed aid workers who were trying to protect themselves & the belongings of Palestinians..

And on top of that, keep praying to Allah.. for He has the power over all the things..

'Do they not see that Allah , who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent.'
(meaning from al ahqaf,ayat 33)

In desperation & hope, I turned to Allah..

3 years...

Salam...

It was our third anniversary yesterday..

It has been 3 years since the day we shared our life.. the day he became my very best friend..

3 years had gone by.. and we certainly had gone through a lot.. and I thank Allah for He has granted us with happiness & love that keeps growing stronger every day..

To Abang, happy 3rd anniversary.. these 3 years had been so wonderful.. you've been very patient with me.. you're a loving & a caring husband to me.. I hope & pray to celebrate with you in many more years to come,InsyaAllah... for the countless time, I love u! :)

Doctors..

Salam...

Indeed it has been more than a month since my last entry.. apart from exams, lack of ideas would be the main reason this page had been so quiet...

This entry will be a long entry.. and I must warned you that you may not like what I'll write, you may disagree of my humble opinion.. I do not mind.. this is merely my opinion & I know all of us have different experiences which inevitably led us to the differences in our principles & opinions..

Recently, the following link has been increasingly glamour, being posted in the facebook by a few friends of mine

Why we left and why we will continue to leave...

I had involved in a lengthy discussion with my fellow friends (some are doctors, some are not) regarding this matter.. to be honest,my first reaction after reading this article was "i didn't know doctors have serious issues with nurses & MAs back in Malaysia".. but I do understand that this article does not represent the doctors as a whole.. reading the article, I realised it was written based on his own experience.. and as I said earlier, everybody has different experiences.. I know a lot of friends (doctors) who are close to nurses.. again, I know this articles doesn't address the nurses & MAs as a whole.. every basket has a bad apple.. no matter what your profession is, not everyone is really good in what they're doing.. so, it is unfair to generalised just because we know one or two that unfortunately falls into the 'bad apple' category.. even from my own experience, I've worked with, I must say, the best of nurses to the worst ones.. same goes to doctors.. yes, we tend to forget ones that are good.. but I do not like making generalisations.. it unfair to those who has been working very hard to be good,if not the best, in their profession..

Well, the main issue that I would like to discuss does not include the issue above..I've read different sorts of reactions to the above article.. some agree, some don't, some blame the writer back.. it is interesting to see different types of responds especially those of doctors.. i know this issue is a very delicate issues to be discussed.. because all the people including the public are getting different inputs regarding this issue from a lot of different sources.. this issue must be looked at from different various angles..

What I want to discussed first is the issue of doctors overworked in the public sector.. because I believe it is one of main reason why people are unhappy at work which leads to demotivation, dissatisfaction, anger and eventually poor working environment.. it is certainly not a new issue.. it has been a longstanding issue.. it has been highlighted in the news, has been discussed over and over again.. and of the main thing that has been highlighted was the doctors who are working overseas/out of the country and how the government should do something to bring them back.. yes, it may be one of the reasons.. but how about those who quit the public sector to join the private sector? do you know at some point, about one third of doctors leave the public service every year to join the private sector? do you know at some point, private hospitals account for 20 percent of Malaysia’s hospital beds, but they employ about 54 percent of the doctors in Malaysia? what has been done to attract them to stay in public sector? when I Googled about this issue, I came across this

Medical tourism (under the topic Malaysian doctors who return home exempted from public service with conditions)

Wow, that is a lot of money.. from RM58.9 million in 2003 to RM 299.1 million in 2008.. yup, private sector is growing fast.. but what happens to the public sector? hopefully an equal improvement.. I know that the basic salary had been increased for doctors which is a good sign.. I don't really know about other incentives that doctors get in Malaysia.. training grant & study leave would be a good idea.. especially for those who are going for mrcp/mrcog/mrcgp etc.. but we have to realise doctors who left are seeking better life, not only in the financial side (probably not even because of financial stuff) but for better working hours, better facilities & equipments, better working environment.. there must be something that can be done to persuade (not forcing) the doctors to stay in the public sector..

I believe that a proper & thorough study is needed to improve the overall working condition for the public sector.. some doctors are too frustrated that they ended up making complaints in the papers/blogs or whatever medium they can get.. I don't blame them.. but I feel voicing as a group/unit will bring greater effects.. through a proper body for example through NGOs or doctors associations.. but having read those responds by various people, I know it's going to be a challenge.. some doctors are not supportive of the others.. this brings me to the 2nd issue.. I know seniority is a big thing back home.. which has its good and bad side to it.. but I don't understand why it is so badly needed.. respect is something to be earned, not demanded.. and it is sad if a superior is being feared, not being respected.. it doesn't contribute to a positive working environment.. but some said if you're being too kind, they will 'step on your head'.. great! then nobody would ever be nice.. it is always should be give & take.. people being nice to you, you should be nice too.. bullying probably has become less now.. but I do know a friend of mine who quit not because of workload but merely because unacceptable bullying.. it is probably an isolated case.. but it proves that it still happens.. and sadly, when he reported to the hosp director, the answer was 'nothing can be done'..

It is even sadder when the doctors are questioning why others are complaining too much.. funny how many times I've came across this phrase 'kitorang dulu lagi teruk.. tapi survived je..' which is another way of saying why bother changing the system,it's good enough now! of course surviving is one thing, making things better is another.. parents will strive hard to make sure their children has a good if not better life than they have.. but why some doctors doesn't want to do the same for their junior colleagues? refuse to help to ensure better conditions for the next generation? even if they do not want to help, just don't scrutinies others who are fighting for a better future for doctors.. and I know some doctors are sick of hearing others whining especially if the others are their juniors/subordinates.. they feel like many of them are spoil and refuse to learn which unfortunately in some cases are true..but I know it is hard to differentiate between 'spoil' and overworked especially when the superiors already experienced those themselves, that overworking is a norm that every juniors have to face.. but then, less work should mean better outcome,more thorough and quality work can be done which unfortunately some junior doctors take for granted.. the definition of overworked itself varies.. how many works do you have to do to be qualified as overworked? straight 48 hours? 52 hours? 80 hours per week? not having time for breakfast & lunch,does that qualified as overworked? I have no idea of what working time directives does malaysia has for doctors.. but we should have one.. yes, people say doctors must endure long hours.. but not too long.. because tiredness will set in and it would begin to cloud judgment and lead to mismanagement.. doctors are humans.. we have limitations.. our mistakes are often unacceptable.. so whatever can be done to reduce the risks of making mistakes, it should be done..

From the discussions I had,we made a conclusion that doctors should be united.. doctors associations & NGOs representing doctors should be more proactive.. we should put aside whatever differences we have - seniors, juniors, races, local grads, overseas grads- and fight for the better future.. because in the end, we are all working in the same system and we are serving the community.. we deserve the best so that we can give the best.. doctors in the private sectors should help too.. there are so many things that they can do.. I found this blog written by a doctor working in private sector & I found it very useful..

The heart of the matter

and this is one of the article written by him (a very good article)

My health, my country

I'm sure there are more doctors who critically analysing the healthcare system in Malaysia.. as for the above doctor,I must say I like his positivity.. I hope we can stay positive and help doctors like him to improve our healthcare system..

It's time to make our voice be heard.. I'm hoping for better lives for doctors.. in which we have time to do what normal people do - outing with family/friends in the weekends, going for a long holiday every now & then, having time to look after ourselves, having enough time for spouse & children, having the time & energy to study, going out in the evening for a jog/to the gym.. also a good working environment where we respect each other, working in high spirit and with high motivation.. and much more.. it may not happen in 10 years time, probably not in 20 years time.. but we have to start taking steps, big or small.. as it is certainly not impossible..

Another lovely surprise :)

Salam..

Thank you to my dear friends - Syikin, Haizum, Izyan & Sheila for inviting us over for lunch today.. we had delicious nasi kerabu (thank you syikin!!) and lots of desserts.. and they got a cake for me:) thank you again.. It has been quite a long time since I last gossiping with them;) I miss those times when we were all working in the Regional Hospital.. we did have more gatherings back then..now, it is just once in a while.. as they're all working in different hospitals.. Haizum & Izyan are planning to go back to Malaysia for good this July.. hopefully we'll be able to organise a dinner (at least) before they leave.. I really enjoyed the lunch.. we had a good few hours of chit chatting.. now my hubby knows that I'm not the only one who thinks he likes to nag a lot;p hehe..

cutting my birthday cake :)

the beautifully decorated cake..

the glamorous purple wallet.. a present from Syikin.. thanks a million!:)

Thank you very much my dear friends.. may Allah bless you always... :)

Happy birthday to me! :)

Salam..

This weekend has been extra special for me.. coz it's my birthday today!!:) hehe.. Alhamdulillah.. Thank you to Allah for He has given me the chance to still be breathing today in good health and more importantly in iman insyaAllah..

This weekend is a long weekend as it is going to be followed by Easter monday (which is a public holiday.. yippie!).. so we decided to go to Cork after unable to do so for the past 2 weekends.. we left Limerick on Friday evening..Before reaching Fairuz's house, we stopped by Hafiz/Zue's house as I wanted to give her some of the marble cake that I baked earlier that day.. Zue was on her way out to visit her friends' house, so I made a promise that we would come over to her house again before going back to Limerick.. although I was calculating when would be the best time to do so..

On Saturday, Fairuz got a phone call from Hafiz (Apek is his nickname), inviting us over to his house for dinner.. and I was relieved coz at least I can keep my promise to Zue.. She also invited a few other families & friends to come over.. at that stage, I didn't suspect anything coz it is a norm (for us anyway) to invite friends to come over for dinner and 'mengeteh' - that is melepak and chitchatting while having tea;p hehe..

And we had our dinner - the delicious nasi lemak (Zue's specialty) and yummylicious lompat tikam made by Fairuz.. and somebody brought a few cakes which I suspected they're meant for desserts.. while I was enjoying the lompat tikam, Fairuz made an announcement that it was my surprise birthday 'party'!! Oh my God.. that was something that I didn't expect at all.. and to be honest, I don't like to be the centre of attention.. (shy maaa...;p) hehe.. the cakes that they brought was actually my birthday cake.. I was so touched.. thank you my friends!! Zue made a cake as well.. thank you Zue! I am blessed with good friends.. I can't thank them enough for making such an effort to celebrate my birthday.. I don't know who to thank specifically as nobody would say whose idea was it.. So thank all of you - Zue & Apek, Fairuz & Asma', Mas & k.Aini, Fahmi & Izaidah.. also to Aimi, Jamilah, Fadrie, and Muizz.. thank you so much! I really didn't see it was coming.. it was a pleasant surprise.. I didn't expect any surprises for my birthday.. as I'm 28 years old (owh,I'm old!)..;p

Me.. cutting my birthday cake :)

Thank you, my friends! (this is the best pic after a few try.. pheww)

Later that night, my dear hubby was not feeling very well.. he was suffering from gastritis that kept him awake last nite.. it became quite severe that we asked Fairuz's favour to send Shaz to the hospital at 3 am in the morning.. and he came back nearly at half 5 am.. poor him.. after Subuh prayer, then only he was able to sleep.. so we had to change our plan today..

I was sliding into the car when I found a large red envelope together with a pink/red paper bag.. I got a present from my hubby!! yeay!!.. hehe.. he got me a lovely birthday card and something else.. ;) it was wrapped in a pink wrapper.. as I was unwrapping the present, I was thinking hard of what it could be.. I was pretty sure that it was a watch coz I did ask for a watch (I left mine in Malaysia.. huhu).. but I was wrong.. I was half shouting in happiness when I saw this thing..

From my beloved hubby.. :)

Yeay!! I got an Ipod Touch! the one that I was eyeing for.. I was planning to buy it later on when I was rich enough.. hehe.. thank you Abang! Love you to bits!!:) I'm now a happy Ipod user..;)

Red is the theme.. incidental, I think;p thank you Aimi & Jamilah.. :)

As it was quite late when we left Fairuz's house, we decided to drop by k.Azy & Taqi's house as they were hosting a birthday party for Muslih.. the food was super lovely! I think that was the first time that I had steamboat.. hehe.. it was a lovely party.. To Muslih, happy belated birthday! :)

We also had another birthday party invitation.. but as we reached Limerick quite late, we had to turned down the invitation.. we're very sorry k.Agee & uncle.. I felt so guilty when I found out that she was planning on celebrating my birthday as well.. and that she got me a birthday present.. huhu.. Sorry k.Agee.. *my guilty feeling hasn't subside yet* huhu.. to Aqilah, happy belated birthday!! hope you have a blast birthday! :) to k.Agee, thank you very much & I'm very sorry that I wasn't there.. :(

Apart from my husband being sick, I am a very happy birthday girl! Alhamdulillah.. All praise to Allah who has granted me with good health, happiness, loving families and a loving husband, and great friends whom I considered as my own brothers and sisters.. Thank you Allah.. and thank you for those who remembered my birthday either with your wish or in your du'a and for those who had planned and made effort to celebrate my birthday (can't thank you enough!!).. may Allah bless you always..

p/s : Happy belated birthday to my beloved sister, K.Yah, whose birthday was yesterday.. may you get the best in dunia & akhirat! love youuuu... :)

Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (KCB)...

Salam..

It has been a long time since I made a post in this blog.. I intentionally left it for my dear hubby to write in this blog.. hehe.. I have actually wrote 2 posts but then I keep them as drafts (for the time being).. still need some adjustments before I can publish them.. will do so when time permits..:)

For this entry, I would like to bring your attention to an Indonesian movie entitled "Ketika Cinta Bertasbih".. it is a movie adapted from a novel written by Habiburahman El Shirazy.. if I'm not mistaken, this is the second movie adapted from his novel (after "Ayat-ayat Cinta")..

I was introduced to KCB by K.Riza quite some time ago.. but only last week did I watch it.. Subhanallah.. it is a beautiful movie made in the course of da'wah.. a movie that makes us think & realised that we are far from the true teachings of Islam especially when it comes to love & marriage..

Too many things have been so common nowadays.. too many that we have become desensitized by some mistakes & wrongdoings.. I take one example, in engagement ceremony.. (okay, I did have an engagement ceremony as well..).. there are certain things that has changed so much from the past.. nowadays, not only the guy is present, but he gets a ring as well.. not to mention taking pictures together as a couple and how grand the ceremony is.. and recently, I bumped into somebody's engagement pics & the guy actually put the ring on the lady's finger (in stead of being done by his mother!).. okay, that is soooo wrong.. unacceptable (to me).. is it even legal?? (just being sarcastic;p).. hmm, I wonder from which culture did we adopt these practises..

And one more thing that is becoming more popular nowadays, pre wedding photography.. which I very much opposed (especially when it involves holding hands or hugging).. it costs a lot of money (which should be saved for the wedding itself), it is unnecessary and is far from Allah's order..

“And come not near to zina. Verily, it is a faahishah (a great sin) and an evil way.”

translation from al israa'; ayat 32

Come not near to zina.. meaning not only not to do it, but don't even go near it..

In the early chapter of the book "Tarbiyatul Aulad fil Islam" (Bringing Up Children in Islam) by Abdullah Nashih ‘Ulwan, it is written that tarbiyah should start before the child is even born.. that is tarbiyah to the parents.. once one able to follow the teachings of Islam, she /he can then teach her/his children.. and tarbiyah of oneself started even before marriage (including choosing a spouse).. A beautiful family, brought up in accordance with the teachings in Islam, that is what we are aiming for..

Back to movie that I would strongly suggest you to watch.. yes, this movie has some weaknesses.. but look at the message that it tries to convey.. that love should start after marriage.. no need for dating, no need to spend hours on the phone.. and one should prepare oneself with the knowledge of Islam.. that we must believe of His words in the Quran..

"Women impure are for men impure and men impure are for women impure; and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable"

( traslation from surah An-Nur, ayat 26)

Asbabul nuzul for this ayat: Allah revealed proof of innocence of ‘Aisyah r.a. and Shafwan bin al-Mu’attal.. from the fitnah and slanderous lies about them..
And indeed this ayat can be applied to us too..

It is never late for us to improve ourselves as long as we're still breathing.. InsyaAllah..

p/s: It's sad to know that KCB didn't enter the cinemas in Malaysia.. it would be a good alternative for all the modern love stories ..

Facts : the actors & actresses playing the lead parts in this movie were selected through a reality TV.. of all, only one has a background of acting.. amongst the criteria were ability to read Al-Quran & speak Arabic.. it is so touching to see they performed sujud syukur when they were selected to act in this movie (can be watched in the short clip at the end of KCB 1)..

Trailer KCB



Do watch this movie in your leisure time.. :)
Salam...