Random pics

OCF Uni SA's outgoing and incoming committee minus one

OCF Uni SA's outgoing committee. The missing guy was replaced by a picture and a 'drawing'. Haha.

Attended the Pharmacy Guild Ball.  The theme was Vintage Hollywood (whatever that means). haha. First time wearing a hat, always thought I wasn't the hat-type kinda person, never thought i could pull it off  but thanks to Ju-Lear, Yat Tuang and Sher Ri, i found one to wear...on the day before. Wasn't planning on spending any more $$ on the whole thing. The ticket was already so expensive. But yea, hat cost another extra aud 15 and i reckon i could wear it for other occasions too.

My 2 years anniversary

To my dearest Anterior Cruciate Ligament,

You used to reside in between my femur and tibia of my right knee but God chose to remove you for reasons still not fully known. Today marks the 2 years anniversary of living life without you. As my fellow human beings remember the loss when the Twin Towers came down in USA, I remember you.

Life really hasn't been the same since you 'left'. Watching football on tv has never been the same. Thoughts like, 'oh man, i can't wait to try that move on the field' have now turned to, 'oh my, he better be careful less he loses his ACL too'. Running up stairs and zig zag used to be pain free but now, it's a different story all together.

I thought i could move on without you. I remember the day when i tried to play a game of football with some of the guys. Boy, what an experience. I never want to go through that again. Everytime i swing my leg, i felt like the lower part of the leg was going to 'fly off'. I missed your grip and your strength. You held my legs together and really gave me stability. Since you were gone, life really hasn't been the same.

I must say, i kept wishing things were different. That you did not have to leave. But i gave this body of mine to Him a long time ago already and told Him to do as He pleases. And so, i have to move in obedience.

The past 2 years wasn't easy. I remember the times when i argued with my parents because i was so adamant to go get a replacement for you ASAP. To the point that they said i could do as i please. It was a struggle inside. I knew i wanted a replacement fast but at the same time, i just could not bring myself to dishonour them. And so, i moved in obedience again to wait and see how life would be without you. I remember the countless times i see people running and playing football freely and wished that i could be part of them too. I remember the times when i tried jogging and had to slow down due to the pain and well, let some old uncle overtake me and say, 'aiyo, you young man, why so slow?' Obviously, my ego took control of me. Not to forget the many times i fell into sadness and lamenting my predicament.

Over time, i realised that a replacement was needed and its currently in the position you vacated. Boy, was it an experience. To undergo surgery at 21. Who would have thought?
To my tendon whos now acting as a pseudo-ACL, i appreciate what you are doing for me in my right knee. You were not created for this function but medical advancements allows you to help the other ligaments in that area by taking up ACL's spot. I pray and hope that you will last this 'journey of life' till i die. I will do what i can to support you with physiotherapy.

By God's grace, i have not sustained any major injuries over the past 2 years. I look back also still wondering why you, my ACL, left. Apart from the countless dollars i have saved from futsal, i can't think of anything that has impacted me. Although, compared to the dollars spent in getting the replacement, i rather play futsal. I may be wiser now and maybe when i return to the field, i could be a better player. I have to choose my tackles wisely, move wisely and play wisely too. I will probably appreciate every single second on the field now also.

I look at other people. Those who are in a more serious condition than i am like cancer etc and i thank God that i still have life. I will learn not to focus so much on what i don't have but on what i have. It always has been a struggle as i can be more of a pessimists at times.

Maybe this is the lesson to be learnt. To seize what i have and make full use of it.

To my ACL, i miss you but life goes on. I look forward to the day when i can play football again. 10 more months.

My childhood dream of playing for Manchester United still holds.

:)

La la chai

*disclaimer: This post does not seek to stereotype people or accused others of bad fashion taste as the author believes that each individual has the right to dress and look in however they wish to a certain level. 

Manda said that my new haircut looks like a typical australasian look. (you should see students when they leave home for Australia to study-most of 'em will cut their hair short to save money on haircuts here and we all look so cute and youngish..haha. Went to this place opposite ACS Klang called Ahead just to try the place out before coming back to Adelaide)

A lot of the people here dressed what some Malaysians would call 'lala'-ly and they actually look quite cool. Even the asians here. I think its just the fashion. Something 'lala' back home would i guess be 'in' here. haha. And so when Manda said that, i was like.hmm..means, i look 'lala'. (boy, was i happy to be associated with a seafood.hehe. didnt get to eat my share of seafood when i was back because of an old wive's tale-seafood not good to eat during post op and i still cant eat them. ) Now i only need some tight jeans and tight black t and probably some blonde streaks in my hair. I've already got the necklace and i guess a bracelet would be a bonus. Not to forget the leather sling bag.

Pirated cd's anyone???hehe

The pharmacy guild ball is this coming Saturday, i might just go there dressed like a true Klangite. hmm..but seriously, what should i wear?

The picture above shows my new hairdo(actually come to think of it, not much diff also..oh well..haha) and me in a wheelchair at KLIA. Yup, i was in a wheelchair all the way from KLIA right to the moment i was picked up from Adelaide airport. You really get top priority. I got to cut queues and be the first to check in and first to get onto the plane, was even in the first row after the business class coz i need the leg space. There was about 8 of us which needed special attention ie wheelchairs, me and 7 other frail looking elderly people. One of them just went for a heart bypass. So yea, you can pretty much imagine everyone's awkward stares at me when we all passed them. I just held tightly to my crutch. haha

Last week at OCF, i jumped straight back into helping leading an Alpha group and we got a really interesting question. If God adopted us all as His children than Jesus should not be His only Son as said. How to answer?

I also realised that we sometimes see God through lenses. For example, if a child has bad relationship with his/her father or a bad picture of a father and never had a father figure in his/her life. The illustration of God as Our Father would not really appeal to her and strike her. But God is still the Father. How we see Him does not affect who He really is. And so i guess, i think we should learn to pray to ask God to move all this lenses that we use to see Him with to really know and see Him for Who He really is.

I'm looking forward to this Sunday. Can finally catch my breath and then maybe go for a swim after church.

:)

OCF Uni SA Agm is this Friday too. I will be stepping down from my current position. Oh boy..what's next??

Reflections

As I was driving home from physio yesterday (yes, i can drive already for those who have been asking - have been driving myself to physio and dropping Mum off at work, so kind of her to let me use her car), i realised that this 'handicap' of mine will always be there. I was ecstatic and how i could walk again after being so 'disabled' after the surgery. So much so that i 'forgot' that my right knee is still missing something (they removed a tendon to be my new pseudo-ACL, so eventhough i've got a new pseudo-ACL, i'm missing a tendon near my patella region).

I thought I was normal and able again.

All that disappeared when the physiotherapist reminded me of do's and don'ts when in Adelaide during this year long of recuperation and i was brought back down to earth. He mentioned that before the op, i probably had 75% use of my knee and after the op, i may be able to achieve 90-95% with good and adequate physio for the next 6 months.

Why not 100%?

I guess some things are not meant to be.

So, my friend, if you see me hobbling, please gently remind me to make a conscious effort to walk properly as i'm still paranoid about my right knee and don't put enough pressure on it. Note: gently remind me, not slap on my back as what i used to ask you to do if you see me hunching. Now, if you slap me on the back, i might fall and tear another ligament and the cycle worsens. haha. Do check on me also to make sure that i'm diligent in my physiotherapy sessions. (I bought a pair of goggles to 'revive' my swimming 'career' - doctors have been saying that it's one the safest and effective form of physio. Anyone care for a swim?haha). I still can't fully bend my knee and definitely can't duduk bersila and still require one crutch for long distances.

Interesting times indeed for Malaysia, talks of a new government have never been so widespread and talked about. Let's keep on praying for His will for this country. I heard a song by Planetshakers titled, 'Save Australia' once and i thought, 'What a nice prayer, the words were so apt, i wonder if Planetshakers would let me take the song and replace Australia with Malaysia'. Read an article about how it's easy to find a Chinese, Indian or Malay Hero. But it's hard to find a Malaysian hero. Some truths in that statement, a lot of us are filled with prejuidices and dissatisfaction towards one another. Most of us struggle to identify with one another at times too.

It's been a good 2 monthsish time of rejuvenation and self-discovery. Not to mention all the funky food i got to eat again. Instead of Chicken soup for the soul, i should write a book call 'Malaysian junk food for the soul'. Chpt 1, deep fried pork knuckles when gloomy coz the very sight of them would gross you out and you would chuckle at the thought of who is crazy enough to eat another animal's legs. 10minutes later, you're swallowing it down into your tummy. Chpt 2, eat nasi lemak with kari or banana leaf rice with beautiful curry till you lau sai to get the adrenaline rush to wash your sorrows away. Chpt 3, taufufa and gueylingko .....etc. u get the point. haha. Ooo, did i mention too that i also had the chance to check out the buka puasa stalls near my place. The scents were so refreshing. Beef rendang, ayam percik, ikan bakar...drools.

I return to Adelaide tonight with a sense of accomplishment. Mum kept telling me that this trip back home was to get my leg fixed and anything else was a bonus and i must say, i received a lot of bonuses. I told myself the main priorities for this trip back home was to just catch up with my family and friends and to get my leg fixed. I got more. I've learned things about myself again and have set new goals and priorities in my life (hopefully, they'll stay. haha).

I'm probably going to cry again tonight but oh well, haha, at least i've got a wheelchair and attendant to push me to the aeroplane.

hehehhehehhehehehhehehehehehehe.

I've got 3 papers to sit for next week, 8th, 9th and 12th. Would appreciate the support in praying. And there after, God-willing, the last semester.

Hopefully...

See you in Adelaide.

Happiness

I just sat for my IELTS speaking test today. (For those interested, my other components of the test will be on this Saturday, 30th Aug from 8am.) One of the questions that i was asked was along the lines of, 'Do you think is sensible for someone to be happy all the time?'

I answered, 'Well, if i did not know sadness, i would not know happy and being happy all the time would not be any good.'

I thought it was an interesting question.

The examiner went on asking whether did i think people today are happy.

I know some Malaysians who are not. Not happy about this, that and a whole lot of stuff.

But i'm sure Malaysians at Permatang Pauh would be happy, or at least the majority are with Dato Seri Anwar's win. It's going to be very interesting to see what happens in Malaysia over the next few months. We just have to keep praying and trusting God.

Are you happy?

Random Ramblings

Just took some photos and put them all up (not according to order),

Received a very interesting card from Adelaide. Thanks :) It really made my day.

Lil deco's in the hall at home.


Where I sometimes spend precious moments with Him in the hall at home.

Attended Bukit Bintang Old Boys Dinner.

Char siew pau and No mai kai

Guess what i found? They sell Bundaberg Ginger beer here for Rm 8.50. One of the 'pearls' that i discovered in Adelaide.

I'm going to wear you soon!!

The new fish pond

Sexy scars.

How do you say ligament in cantonese? Lee-Gah-Man?!?!!??!

Being a 'handicap' has privilleges. It's been an interesting journey moving around in crutches. You begin to realise that hey, not all shopping malls are equipped with disability-friendly facilities. Like for example, how are you going to open a toilet door when both your hands are on the crutches. Mind you, toilet doors are equipped with those auto swivel thing at the joint where it 'closes' itself when open. Go try. haha. Not many are considerate of your condition too. Got bumped around the other day. Really was annoyed. Thankfully, i was able to 'not fall'. Interesting enough, the mamak fellas and aunties and uncles at kopitiam and not to forget burmese workers in restaurant are more understanding of my situation compared to the common folk. Oh well, life goes on.. :)

Chong Wei lost. I guessed Malaysians were really looking to him to bring some joy in times of political stife and uncertainties. Almost everyday in the newspaper, there are articles reporting, Anti-Corruption Agency arrested so and so....Public dissatisfaction...and so on. A silver's still something to celebrate for and credit to him for going against the entire stadium of crazily LOUD people.

I'm beginning to move around at home without crutches already but still need one when i move long distance. And long distance means walking to shopping mall entrance from carpark. haha

I miss football. I miss leading my brothers in defending the goal. One of my favourite position in the field was either being the defensive midfielder or the sweeper. Breaking up attacking plays of the opposing team and starting our own attacking plays. Tactial stuffs. If you recall, i used to have my own footie team and we would go around challenging team and yours truly would of course be the one leading. Man, i dont know why but i have a sudden respect for Rio Ferdinand. The way he plays and leads. 11 more months. ish ish.

Going back to Adelaide on the 3rd of Sept and will arrive on the 4th.

At physio

Guess where am I at now? haha.

I am currently in the middle of my physiotherapy session. How cool is that? They have free wireless internet at this place and i told myself, one day, i'm gonna bring my lappie and look cool over here. Today's the day. haha.

Not so cool anymore when you're in pain. I'm on this machine that bends your knee. I have been stuck around the 80 to 120 range the past few days. It hurts like crazy when its around 110ish. Happens coz of muscle stiffness. Ahh..110, 115.....aaaaaaaaa....cant scream in public. . . . ... ... .....

haha..cheap thrills that excites me. shiok sendiri.

I'm beginning to understand that this trip back home is purely for my leg and anything else that i get are bonuses. Bye bye pulau perhentian or redang or langkawi. I was really hoping for the opportunity to go for a short trip at one of the islands. Oh well....nasi kandar at kayu tonight.
:)