RIP Baroness Thatcher

Baroness Thatcher had passed away following a stroke. She was 87. One of the best peacetime Prime Minister of note. She was the British Prime Minister when I first arrived in the UK for my A Levels, and in the first couple of years there, the political scene was dominated by the loss of her learns hip to her Chancellor, John Major.

I had always had a soft spot for her, and it was common knowledge that she had not been blessed with the best of health of late. RIP the Iron Lady.

Al Fatihah

Learned this morning that a dear friend and a former colleague passed away after some period of illness. He had a big scare a month ago, but recovered and we were optimistic than he would get better. Unfortunately that was not to be.

He was among the first few people who welcomed me when I first joined Universiti Malaya. An imposing fella, but a gentle giant deep down, he soon left for Germany to complete his PhD and further studies. He came back a few years back, and since then, I learned that he had been fighting diabetes.

He bounced back somewhat, but since the beginning of the year, he had not been well. Enough about that.

Prof Salem. Alfatihah. I would miss his quip about computers and gadgets. Even after I left UM, I still get the occasional emails or Facebook messages about tech. He had been updating his social media outlets until recently, but I only learned about the sad news this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to attend his solat this morning as I learned about the news an hour too late.

It had certainly been a sad year for the Medical Department at UM. We had lost a couple of very capable Faculty Members. Alfatihah to both of you, and condolences to the family.

Alfatihah

I just learned of a tragic news that a former senior colleague of mine from UMMC who passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. She was suddenly taken ill a few months back and deteriorated sharply. She was the pillar of the MMed program at UM and I was her willing assistance during my time there.

Alfatihah. And my doa is that she would be placed amongst the Muslimin.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Arrived at work to learn about the passing of this great man. He has been unwell for a number of years. We were sort of like wondering if the end was near for him.

It seemed that he managed to keep his personal live off the limelight as there was not a clue on his condition despite the launch of iPhone 4S yesterday. There was no tribute or even a mention of the great man. And I suspected that that was his wish.

In every generation there would be a person who symbolised the period. JFK for instance before him. In my generation thus far, I can unashamedly say that it was Steve Jobs. I would always remember the day I learned about his passing for the rest of my life. Rest in peace Steve .....

Of another mortality

Just after midnight earlier, I received another phone call. This time it was from Institut Jantung Negara where Anita's aunty has been admitted since Monday. she has a history of heart disease and has recently been ill. She was initially admitted into another hospital in Ipoh but due to complications, was transferred here.

She was doing fine until yesterday when her condition took a sudden sharp deterioration. The family gathered yesterday, but she was still fine. Apparently she suffered a stroke, details of which was rather sketchy, and something I would rather not dwell on. She drew her last breath after midnight, and I just returned from IJN where at this very moment, her body was being driven back to Ipoh. My in-laws would be traveling to Ipoh later today, but I don't think that either myself or Anita would. Therefore, in the space of 24 hours we had a couple of family members passing on. Alfatihah.