Momentum Maintained

A win was still a win and the momentum was still on. It was important not to drop points after the three hauled at the Emirates last weekend. All that good work could be unravelled a careless drop in points against the supposedly weaker team in Sunderland. So, concentration was key, and we saw plenty of that focus on the first stages of the game.

We were rewarded with two goals in then first quarter of the match. First being presented to van Persie by a former United player, John O'Shea. He failed to deal a low cross from Ashley Young, parrying the ball towards the predatory Dutchman who passed the ball onto the top of the net. Cool finish.

The second was a well-worked team effort. The ball was initially brought forward by Phil Jones playing at right back. The play was switched when eventually Cleverley got the possession at the far end playing a pass back to Carrick who returned the ball via a defence-splitting pass back yo Claverley. He side footed the bal past the despairing Mignolet in Sunderland goal.

The other plus point was then return of Nemanja Vidic. But he was not able to to earn United a clean sheet. In fact he was at fault for failing to clear the ball inside the six-yard box, allowing a free header at the far end. He would be better once he got more games under his belt I was sure.

The main thing was, the win maintained a six-point lead at the summit of the league. There was still plenty to play for, but it was telling that we were in this position despite not yet hitting our stride. Come the business end of the season, I hope that the defence would be tighter. We really could do with clean sheets.

Cough. Cough.

One would have thought that I would've packed it in after returning from Idlan's swimming session, I would have gone straight back home to rest. Well, not tonight. We decided to go to KLCC and ordered dinner there. Well, it was take home really. Even the boys were too tired to stay for long. But there was enough time for a quick drink while waiting for our orders.

Unfortunately, it tired off Idlan, and before long, he started to cough. It went on for a fee more minutes until he had his inhalers. It lingered on until we reached home. It looked like an early night for him.

It had been a while since he had an asthma attack. We should have given him a couple of puffs on ventolin before he had his swim. Careless on our part really. Now, he was a lot more settled, and hopefully he would feel better tomorrow morning.

Jet Lagged

Yes. I'm a survivor. But the morning passed like a breeze and I felt at times like I was floating in the air. The jet lag really set in when I woke up this morning. I snoozed the alarm at least three times, finally turning up late for my post-call rounds. But i managed to sort through the clinic patients and covered form another colleague who was away on family commitment.

I finally got things sorted out by 2 pm, and called Anita about the plan for the rest of the day. She reminded me that Idlan has a swimming class this afternoon. His very first one. Our driver was away, so Anita would have needed a taxi to get her there. So, I rushed back to Gombak despite being tired.

The swimming class went OK although Irfan refused to join despite the coach's efforts. Finally we accepted defeat and Irfan spent the rest of the afternoon by the poolside. Boring boy. Idlan enjoyed his lesson instead and had already planned for next week's session. He would have one of his buddies tagging along next time.

Sufficed to say that I survived the day .....

More on my Atlanta trip here.

Chawan Time

I think I would turn this into a ritual. From now on, upon returning home from trips abroad, I would have a meal at Chawan. It felt good when I did it earlier for dinner. It was helped with then fact that the admission were nice and slow. I was starving when I reached there after my first series of admission.

I ordered the usual - daging salai masak lemak. It went down very well indeed. I guessed the bland seafood of Atlanta finally took its toll. I really could do with Anita's cooking and now, some local favourite. And proper coffee as well! Not the usual Starbucks fare. We were talking Kopi Kampung type here.

That was it. It was now officially a ritual!

Back into the Groove

More like struggling to get back into the groove. Starting the morning was hard when I had to snooze the alarm a couple of times and could only drag my bum off the bed at around 8 and drove to work after the rush hour subsided.

Started the clinic late but the patients were still waiting for their results then. I didn't have any inpatients to see. The admissions came later in the day. And that was sorted out as well after the clinic was done.

Next came the on call emergency admissions. I managed to sort those in time to catch some dinner in Bangsar before settling for the shower and returning to the hospital for the evening rounds. That was nice. So, now I was waiting at the Doctor's lounge before returning for the night. I really could do with some sleep. But the main thing was I was able to get through with the day's chore in one piece.

More on my Atlanta trip here.