Sawah Time

Buoyed from yesterday's adventure through the kampong, we decided to venture further this morning. It started out with first Puan Anita and me riding our bikes to the end of the kampong to find a spot to take the boys later on. The weather has been kind. It was cool and quiet. The sun was hidden, mixed with the sound of the jungle and flowing river, it was easier to lie in bed rather than venturing out.

Right from outside my window this morningThe adventure beginsAt least we did not have to wake up early. My Mum-in-laws has left for the morning market well before 7.30. We enjoyed a lie in and only got out from the room after hearing the minivan moving into the garage. Idlan and Irfan were still asleep then, and they were about to wake up when we took to the bike after breakfast. After 15 minutes peddling, we can across a paddy field. We decided to push on and later discovered that there was a much simpler route to take the boys to see the fields. Since it was raining the whole of yesterday, it was rather muddy. Therefore we took the boys put before they had their shower. And oh boy were they excited.

The paddy field was within walking distance, but Idlan insisted on taking his bicycle. He came out first as Irfan was still having breakfast at the time. He could not atop running. I went back later to fetch Irfan. There were so many questions. They were asking us why we did not rake their boots with us from KL so that they can walk in the mud. Their enthusiasm stopped short after my story about the leeches and other blood-sucking creatures. They were left to explore the flora, and were so mesmerized with semalu, and how quickly they retract when they touched them. Another lengthy explanation ensues.

When the dust settled, it was time to eatThey finally gave up after half an hour and started the argument on who should be on the bike. It was Irfan's turn. We have just finished packing when I completed the draft. I will pepper in the pics later after I reach KL. Our driver will be at the helm today, so I'll likely be surfing on the iPhone all the way up. We planned to stop at Tapah for some kuih pau later.

Cycling through Kampong

After the trip to the market and was done with breakfast, we decided to take a stroll in the kampong, trying out our new bicycles. My Mum-in-law bought it during her last trip here, but she only got three, which meant that Idlan and Irfan had to share. I started out having to open up all the wrappings and covers. That took me nearly 30 minutes.

Yes! An internet-equipped kedai kopi in the middle of the kampong!

Our kampong in Kuala Kangsar have tar-covered pavements, so walking around was OK and we managed to avoid the muds as it has been raining most afternoon - it was drizzling outside at the time I was drafting this entry. The weather was cool and even though it was past 10am, it was very pleasant. Right next to our house is a surau, which doubled up as a community center with religious classes being held regularly. On the other side, believe it or not is a small music studio. It was for the kampong musician - still immersed in the ‘rock kapak’ era - to jam. It was well insulated, so we can only hear the bass drums from the outside. And they started jamming pretty early this morning. They were already in full-swing by 8am.

One of the neighbour holding a berkhatan ceremonyA big river at one end of the kampongThe studio also had a small cafe at its front, and it has wifi. It was the local spin on Internet cafe and I can see a fair few people there already with their laptops! Further down the path is a small kenduri being held. Apparently, a child there will be having his berkhatan - circumcision - later that afternoon. A big day for the boy. There were rows of seats and table on the outside, complete with a canopy and a caterer van. A bit more modern than I expected really.

We could do with another small bikeAs the boys had to share the bicycle, I was on foot most of the time, making sure that they stay off the road for motorcycles and cars to pass by. The kampong was much bigger than I expected, and in the 45 minutes, we did not manage to explore the whole place. We seriously need the extra bicycle for the boys, but can’t be asked to go out today. Staying at home while in the kampong house is such bliss. Why should I go out to town?

Morning Market

Proper belacan this ......This was not your usual morning market. This one was in Kuala Kangsar, on a Saturday morning. Why do I feel like blogging about it? It was because the food were cheep and delicious. It was not very big, in fact we only got the food from a few stores.

Borong!

We had nasi lemak, putu, apam balik and roti john. There were also fresh meat and fish on offer but since we would be staying until tomorrow, we probably drop by again tomorrow to bring some food back home. We probably spent RM50 one of the food store and in Kuala Kangsar, RM50 was a lot of money.

It ended with teh tarikOn the way out, we passed by a small stall selling pet fish - ikan semilang. We got a couple for the boys. Irfan’s was a blue - he christened it ‘Blue Peter’ and Idlan’s was light lavender colour which he called ‘Fat Bob’. Let see how long they can stay alive this time. Judging from the experience from their previous pets, not very long!

The new pet - Fat BobIrfan feeding his 'Blue Peter'

Kuala Kangsar Weekend

We made it to Kuala Kangsar. It has been a while since we last went to our kampong house there. The boys were really excited. Since one of our cousin was looking after the place for us, everything was spick and span when we arrived. It has been raining in the last couple of weeks so we were expecting the worst. It did not rain and it only took us two and a half hour to get there from KL in our minivan.

Hungry when we arrivedWe had Upin and Ipin to thank for keeping the boys quiet during the journeyWe stopped by the town center when we reached there to get some laksa. That hit the spot certainly. I was just done enjoying it when I wrote this blog. The boys were jumping up and down in the bedroom after done running the whole length of the house while we were having laksa.

Finally made it!.... and laksa was servedWe had a few things planned for tomorrow but they pretty much depend on the weather. What ever it was, we will definitely be hitting the morning market first thing. Not sure what next though. We shall wait and see.

Return to Kelang

The last time I was posted to teach in Kelang, I have not even started the blog yet. It must have been close to 3 years back. Certainly a long of things have changed. I also remember still the first time I was posted here back in 2004. Idlan was only just born and the partner I was assigned with have left for private practice. It certainly have been a long time since I first step there and for old time sake, let see what had happened.

The session being plannedThe first thing I noticed was the number of crows around the place. The number had certainly gone down. It was a norm to have team of shooters doing the rounds there shooting these pesky birds down. Walking from the hostel to the hospital building was also a risk. You never know what would land on your head if you were not careful. The place has certainly been better kept. A lot of investment has gone in with the building of a new multistory car park and an outpatient complex. There was a new cafeteria there - where I now have lunch.

Give me more roti canaiThe hostel building. Not much change there.I also remember looking forward for a proper roti canai at another cafeteria there - the one in the old building, near the Casualty. I was disappointed with the offering on my last stint there, but this week, it was very nice, although the curry could have been better. The wards were just as crowded as ever, although the main medical ward had managed to rid of their dengue patient to a new designated ward. I remember at least 50% of admissions every night into the medical ward was dengue back then. The patients were still as grumpy and the condition were less than ideal for teaching medical students, especially those who were just learning their trade. The first teachers are very in important in getting the students to get into the right habit. With the less than ideal condition on offer, it would take a lot of commitment to get things right.

The new outpatients buildingThere was also this tendency amongst the students to make sure all their boxes were ticked. They were more adept at making sure that the lecturer cover as wide a range of subject as possible, but the danger of that would be the compromise in quality. On a personal level, I much prefer the qualitative approach rather than getting as much done as possible. That was easier said than done, and as a result I can appear to be too overbearing and tend to elaborate more than I possibly need to. But then again, that was me, and I can only strive to do the best that I can. So, quality boys and girls, rather than quality.

Taking notesTaking a breatherAlong the same vein, the class size has certainly increased along the years. There used to be around 30 to 32 students per group. The current group I have was 44, including a number of students who dropped down a year. This will certainly put a strain on things especially in the final week, during which I will be taking them for a short case examinations. 44 students. All for short case. Sigh!

On a personal note, the lady in charge for the program in Kelang for the UM side has also changed. It used to be Kak Ani. She has since retired. It was now Kak Salmah. It will take a while for me to get to know her. The lecture schedules were still the same, but apparently, the Consultants would be coming here more regularly than before. I will have to wait to see how things pan out.