Sunday Sunshine

I tried going out for a drive yesterday afternoon but it duly rained. I did get a bit of fresh air anyhow after the rain when Anita drove me to get some tandoori and pizza for the boys. She would be occupied with the boys this morning, and I had to pay my credit card bills. The plan was for me to have an early morning drive to Bukit Bintang, park myself there, pay the bills and have a quick walk, maybe until lunch time before settling back home, possibly for the day. It would all depend on my energy level.

The weather was certainly on my side - look at the gorgeous sun outside. I just wished that Anita could come along. I just couldn't pass up on such great weather!

19

Me waiting for the Tandoori earlier

I was planning to write an entry before the kick-off, while I was waiting for my order of tandoori earlier for fear of jinxing the result. To be honest, of all the league win we had - and all of them I was sure fully deserved - this season was the most obvious that we depended a lot of help from other teams capitulating, or even from up above. The sudden change-of-heart from Wayne Rooney. The stop-start form of Dimi Berbatov. How Nani flattered to deceive, and the flattering form of one Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez. All this added up to what looked like a jammy season for us by all accounts, and it was a title which could have easily slipped by us.

But what was always consistent was my steady supply of Tandoori on match nights. I would like to think that that had played some part, throughout the season.

We played the best games of the season when it mattered - the two-legged Champs League semi against Schalke and the league win against Chelski - mind you, winning three games against your nearest rival in the league in the space of a month made you deserved champions by all account. The revelation of the season was the combination of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick in the middle of the park. They have been efficient if not spectacular. They kept the cog going and moving forward. Even though the goalscorers in Rooney, Nani, Hernandez and Berbatov would get the plaudits, those two in midfield were just as important. How Vidic did not win the Player of the Year remain the crime of the decade, but don’t get me started on that yet!

The game I witnessed just now summed up a few obvious points. We needed to replace the aging Giggs and Scholsey - and Scholsey still couldn’t tackle, and we need a proper goalkeeper to replace van der Sar. What I was trying to say was, we need to buy not because we do not have enough quality, but because we need replacement for those departing. Tomasz Kuszczak clearly does not have the chops to make it at United, as well as having too many Zs in his name. So he has to go. But who would it be. A lot depends on who would be coming in, and it took us six seasons to find the right replacement for Schmichael in van der Sar. We went through Taibi, Bosnich, Howard and the legend that was Barthez. Finding a top quality goalkeeper was never that easy.

Our next big game would be against Barcelona at Wembley. It would be a fascinating one, and I hope Sir Alex did not make the mistake of a couple of Finals ago, when we tried to outpass them in midfield. We should try it anywhere but the center of midfield I would have thought, at least as far away from Xavi, because he was a bit good. Oh, and man mark Messi as well, and make sure he does not outjump his marker for a header as he did against Rio back then. We shall go for number 4 then!

Screaming for Ice Cream

The day went on a lot better than expected although Anita had to take Irfan for his follow-up at Pantai on her own - with her Mum on tow, leaving Idlan at home to look after me. Tussles throat was down a notch and as of this morning, the temperature stayed below 38 degrees until now. The myalgia was now bearable although taking a cold shower was a struggle - that happens to me even without the fever.

This cut down on the cough big timeCome afternoon, the only thing left was the annoying sore throat, which following the theme of following advice from my patients, one of them suggested cold yoghurt or ice cream. So ice cream was worth a shot. Anita got me one of those pure dairy, yoghurt, healthy eating type thing, and it went down really, really well. Anita insisted that I should not take too much as it may make the throat dry. So, I had some pancake to go along with it, followed by some plain warm water. It seemed to be doing it's job for now!

That was nasty

My ward held its annual Nurses Day arty earlier today, but unfortunately, I was not able to enjoy it - that much. The sore throat, plus the myalgia was not conducive to celebration, but the food was as always, very nice indeed, lovingly prepared by the member of the nursing staffs. And, as usual, I contributed some cash as well as dessert. For today, Anita had to do the cake delivery as I was too tired to head out last night. Finally, we missed out on the Red Velvet - it would only be ready after midday. Anita grabbed some other cake, which unfortunately, I did not get too sample - it was gone in double-quick time. By the time I finished clinic, the party had already started, I enjoyed the laksa, prepared by one of my BMT nurse, and ended up having some salads as the spice from the laksa really hurt my throat.

Being pampered by my boys and Anita as sson as I arrived homeAs I was not very well in the afternoon, I tried to get home early - as I was being driven in, our driver came over to pick me up just after three - but unfortunately, I had a couple of referrals to see. Once those were sorted out, I reached home, my temperature just shot through the roof - peaking at just over 39 degrees. The myalgia got unbearable, and I ended up just lying in bed, after taking some brufen, paracetamol and antibiotics. Once that subsided, I had to endure the lecture from Anita about healthy eating, and she duly prepared my afternoon tea - salad! Then it was pasta for dinner! I wanted some soup but it was too spicy for my throat.

Anita lovingly prepared this salad bowl for me. And as a good husband, I gobbled them down!While I was at the clinic earlier, my patients kept on trying to give me tips on how to remedy my sore throat. It ranged from honey to raw starfruit, to lemon juice. If my sore throat stayed like this, I might have to resort to those then.

Gorgeous Blue Sky

I woke up this morning with a bad throat, temperature and body ache. I tried to call for my wife and then I realised that I had no voice. Had a couple of sprays on my throat, the pain was a bit better and the voice was slowly coming back. Reciting the advice from my ENT friend, the worst thing I could do was to whisper. That would cause more strain on my voicebox.

The clinic this morning would be a monster since one of my colleague was away in Kelang, another involved in exams and a few of my MOs were either on leave or ill. My ENT friend told me to take the day off, but looking at the clinic and also the Nurses Day lunch, I think I'd better turn up, at least until lunch.

Rather than driving in myself, I was driven in by our driver to work today - in glorious sunshine. The heavy rain overnight certainly lifted the haze somewhat, but I was not optimistic that it would last that long.

P/S: I would highly recommend hiring a driver if you can afford one. Being driven into work in heavy traffic while being able to surf the net and tweet, plus updating the blog was sheer bliss!