Chikungunya

Bearing in mind the Chikungunya fever has an outbreak in Malaysia, let's learn something about it today.

Chikungunya is an Aedes mosquito borne disease which transmits Alphavirus. The incubation period is from 2-4 days, with dengue-like symptoms including fever (>39℃), petechial or maculopapular rash, arthralgia or arthritis. Non-specific features include headache, injected conjunctiva, slight photophobia and insomnia.

Distinct differences between Chikungunya and dengue:
- Chikungunya fever normally lasts 2 days and ends abruptly; dengue fever shows saddle back feature which pit on day 4 or 5 lasting 7-8 days.
- Chikungunya reports no mortality rate so far but arthritis may persist for months to years.
- Chikungunya specific IgM is present.

It is symptomatically managed:
- Ensure hydration
- Paracetamol as anti-pyretic
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen) for joint pain; Chloroquine can be used for persistent arthritis.

References: Wikipedia, Mahsuri.

With this, I would like to introduce two of my friends, CheeKoonKhungYing, whose birthdays are only one day apart.

With the coordination of Wan on the other side, we successfully threw a surprise to the birthday girl. It was a long tiring day from the ward but the fun and laughter we shared were memorable. I'm definitely going to miss night like this.

Next came our usual birthday celebration spot in JJ, Seremban with Chee Koon.
Time really flies. The celebrations with them a year ago are still remaining vivid in my mind. It's the last birthday celebration before everyone embarks their own journeys after graduation. It did mingle with some extend of nostalgic feeling undeniable.

To Khung Ying my all time fun housemate. A person that I can count on when I need a listening ear. I cherish every moment spent with you. Who knows we may be posted to the same place for houseman in time to come :)

And Chee Koon, one whom I've known for 6 years! I remember what you wrote on my autograph during the college leaving day. I feel the same too. Thanks for being such a supportive friend.

Have a great year ahead Chee Koon and Khung Ying! I am truly blessed to have you both as friends!

Paediatrics' fun

In the second meet with Dr. SG Ling, we learned how to make balloon animals. It had actually cheered up my stressful long day. I am all ready to fulfill my dream of being a free lance clown after acquiring this skill!

With Hai Liang, our leader. And my master piece was the tallest blue giraffe on the right.

Group snap by Hang Cheng, missing Harveen, Chi Wooi and Joo Ee.

Next up, rabbit!

I brought home mine instead of giving to the kids in the ward. Wanna practice making, too bad it leaked after repeated twists.

Paeds' exam is in few days time. I think I had too much fun...

Birthday dinner

Barely remember the last time I cooked for more than just myself was a celebration after the end of Semester 7 examination which was 8 months ago in my neighbours' place. This time around, instead of nerding in library, I buried myself in the kitchen for 2 hours to formulate:

Salted vegetable taufu soup
Bitter gourd stewed chicken
Fried potato with meat
Stir-fried lettuce

Date: 13th Oct. 08 @ 7pm
Venue: My residence, Blossom Heights Seremban
Occasion: Ernest's birthday!
Special guests: (from the right) Tek Jee, Sabena, Melissa, my housemate Khung Ying, Ernest

It was actually the first time our dining table was kept clean surrounded by so much laughter. Simple dishes yet great time! Not forgetting the 'birthday egg tarts' and vanilla ice-cream courtesy of Melissa as desserts. Thanks :)

The egg tarts on fire were looking gorgeous! Once again, have a blessed year ahead Ernest!

The kid and his egg tarts glittering,
advice says get riped before eating;
Father I pray for Your guidance never ending,
as he continues to pursue his future undertaking.

Drawing class

We had Dr. SG Ling few days ago for class. He is well known of asking interesting questions to get to know us. So this time around, his question was:

"Draw two things to describe yourselves."

After a quick sketch, my two representative objects are:

1) Smiling sun - Jovial

2) My home - Homely
(Bigger scale implies I'm the eldest of five.)

Drawing is a good tool to understand each other, and I agree that it is a good way to remember things too. What my friends had drawn are pretty much sticked with me now.

Sick

Paeds ward is infectious! The first day of posting I'd already started making wan tan, sorethroat is coming up.

The whole of today was like getting a sleeping spell, a good excuse to sleep slightly earlier. Good night everyone, hope to boost up my immunity to fight rhinovirus.

Challenging days are ahead. Keep going people!

*sneeze sneeze*

--

Updated on Saturday, October 11, 12.24pm

It just took too long to be self limiting. Here it goes:

Syrup diphenhydramine hydrochloride 15ml thrice daily
Chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg thrice daily

It tasted more horrible than I used to remember for more than 10 years ago. I'm allowing myself to be sleepy during the weekend. Don't think I'll comply to my medications once school started. Haha.

Exploring Muar

First of all, we had two missions to complete in Muar:

1) Eat!
2) Find 'Putera' Gunung Ledang (Since the puteri had already long taken by Sultan.)

So here I went with Ernest and Tek Jee, for a 3 days 2 nights stay.

Mission #1 was completed, scrumptiously and contented, leaving behind mission #2 for the next round as we didn't register a week in advance to hike Gunung Ledang. Anyway, being able to enjoy some therapeutic massages from the water fall wasn't that bad after all.
The master of fishing who never give up on his fishing rod despite multiple mosquito bites and the scoffing of the passer by. Here, as a result of being patient, a fish which he claimed ugly was caught.
Special thanks to Jen Ern who tour guided us and the recommendations of nice food. And to Ernest's aunty who has been hospitable and lovely, it was fun listening to the endless real life stories.To my trip buddies, thanks for everything. I had a real good time with you guys!Click for more from Ernest and Tek Jee's posts.

Kite flying

Kite flying symbolizes freedom. I especially like the feel of running on grass staring at the high flying kites while the breeze blows everywhere messing up my hair.

I had a great home coming, with siblings and cousin to fly kite in a park near home. We, the kite flying illiterates failed to maintain the kite high up till the wind got weaker.

Even to hold the kite and posed, we had fun! I'll surely go fly again!

Time flies, the one week break is coming to an end. I am back in Seremban missing a family dinner tonight. Thanks be to God for a fruitful holiday, being able to spend time with family and catch up with friends were of so much joy and laughters.

It's true when they say, house is where you hang your hat, and home is where your heart belongs. I guess I'll get home sick for a while.

~My home sweet home~