There are many levels of inconsideration when it comes to driving.
1) Slow-Mo's in the fast lane.
These are the ones I despite the most. They are the ones who has all the leisure in the world to drive at 40mph in a 65mph highway. Sure, you want to be safe. and sure, you are not in a hurry. This is why roads are built with several lanes, and your job is to move to the slow lane if you do not intend to move at the highway's speed limit. And please keep your middle finger to yourself when several cars overtake you in the slow lane, because that should be a hint that you are causing an obstruction.
2) The Gap Builder.
I honestly don't see the purpose of leaving a giant gap in front of you in a traffic jam (excusable if it is in a flowing traffic). Perhaps you prefer a view of 20 feet of tar road before another vehicle. If there is a jam, you freaking close the gap in front of you to the next vehicle, because guess what, if all 20 cars in front of you decide to leave a 20 feet gap in between vehicles, you will be backed up to Timbuktu.
3) The Honkers.
Honestly, honking in a traffic doesn't make your vehicle move any faster, unless you have a built in propeller that gets activated with 10 honks and will lift your car in air. It makes other drivers more frustrated, and it makes the entire atmosphere worse.
4) The Sudden Brakers
In a flowing free way, there should not be an excuse to hit the brakes for no reason. Let me revise the way a brake works with you. You see an object in front of you, you brake. You see an exit you want to take, you brake. If you are moving, and there is noone in front of you, please do not suddenly brake. (I am not sure if this behavior is an American thing or not, because I rarely see it back home)
6) The Overly Scary-Cat
It is okay to turn corners or cut into a lane with vehicles on them. You do not need to wait until there are zero cars on the road before you do so. It in fact becomes more dangerous the longer you wait because your blinking signal in front of me may just induce a seizure in me and I will get down and scratch your car.
7) The Hopeless
Admit it, some people are just not meant to be on the road. They pose a danger to themselves and to others.
I get very angry on the road, most of the time. Some people think their cars will be dissolved in rain if they move too fast, and drive 20 mph. Word of advice. If you cannot drive faster than the car behind you in the fast lane (and you are not over the speed limit), give way.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Happy Birthday to Me
Time flies. Can't believe I'm already 27 years old. 3 more years from the big three-O. Birthday these days are not really about celebrating anymore. It always fall on a working day, and my birthday this year, I'm working on nights, and was gifted with 8 consults from the ED on top of 5-6 trauma's running at the same time. But I did get the weekend before my birthday off, and I decided to use it to do activities that I really really miss doing, such as dancing (haven't danced in 3 years) and sailing (haven't sailed in 8 years).
And so, I attended a K-pop dance class, and mastered the moves to SNSD's mister mister. It was fun, and I'm glad to know that albeit being a little rusty, I still got it. The class was filled with a lot of college kids, all drooling over some cute korean actor who is 5 years younger than me, or having fantasies of flying to korea to catch some concert tour. I remember when I use to be like that. Not realizing how the real world is and only wanting to marry a certain taiwanese singer. It is really quite funny to see the young'ing do that and reminiscing the old days.
The next day, I went to a sailing centre and signed up for sailing (much to my parent's despair because they were concern that I will turn charcoal black again and be ugly in my wedding pictures). I initially thought that I needed to spent hours after hours going through all 4 basic courses again to get tested and certified, but they put my on a fast track and I did ok and passed all 4 courses at a go. Even rigged up a laser and sailed it and pass! Such a good feeling.
It is so nice to self-treat myself sometimes. Learning to let go, and be independent and just enjoy what life throws at you.
And so, I attended a K-pop dance class, and mastered the moves to SNSD's mister mister. It was fun, and I'm glad to know that albeit being a little rusty, I still got it. The class was filled with a lot of college kids, all drooling over some cute korean actor who is 5 years younger than me, or having fantasies of flying to korea to catch some concert tour. I remember when I use to be like that. Not realizing how the real world is and only wanting to marry a certain taiwanese singer. It is really quite funny to see the young'ing do that and reminiscing the old days.
The next day, I went to a sailing centre and signed up for sailing (much to my parent's despair because they were concern that I will turn charcoal black again and be ugly in my wedding pictures). I initially thought that I needed to spent hours after hours going through all 4 basic courses again to get tested and certified, but they put my on a fast track and I did ok and passed all 4 courses at a go. Even rigged up a laser and sailed it and pass! Such a good feeling.
It is so nice to self-treat myself sometimes. Learning to let go, and be independent and just enjoy what life throws at you.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Expensive hobby
I have a sin I need to confess.
Instead of buying yet another dozen dresses, this year's memorial day I decided to splurge on something that cannot be itemized.
Yes. I paid a hefty amount (equivalent to 8 dresses) to pick up an old hobby.
Now. Earlier this year, I thought I could go into zumba. Paid 50 bucks for 15 lessons and ended up only attended 2. What a waste. I wonder if this will be the same. Except this time, the price is 6 times more.
My weekend plans for the next 8 weeks are pretty much set. You can find me by the Charles river. Doing what I used to do, and doing what I love best. Sailing.
Adios!
Instead of buying yet another dozen dresses, this year's memorial day I decided to splurge on something that cannot be itemized.
Yes. I paid a hefty amount (equivalent to 8 dresses) to pick up an old hobby.
Now. Earlier this year, I thought I could go into zumba. Paid 50 bucks for 15 lessons and ended up only attended 2. What a waste. I wonder if this will be the same. Except this time, the price is 6 times more.
My weekend plans for the next 8 weeks are pretty much set. You can find me by the Charles river. Doing what I used to do, and doing what I love best. Sailing.
Adios!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Dong Chiang Dong Chiang
It has been 3 years since I last celebrated chinese new year. To be honest, since my grandmothers passed away, CNY has never been much of a celebratory event. My aunts and cousins all have their own celebration, and my poor parents just have a simple dinner with my mom's brother, and call it a day.
CNY is suppose to be the festival where families reunite, very much like Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the US. Alas this year, I will be able to celebrate the last 5 days of CNY in Msia.
Last year's CNY was a disaster. I was initially planning to visit Philly, but snowstorm blizzard Nemo decided to hit, canceling all trains and planes out of Boston, leaving me stranded along in Boston. In desperate attempt to have a reunion, I ended up visiting Daniel, a high school friend of more than 15 years, which actually turned out to be much fun.
This year, CNY eve I was on call in the hospital, but on CNY day 1, I was blessed with a reunion with my sister. We then had a pretty unique CNY day 2 activity together.
Have to thank my lucky stars that the surface didn't crack and swallow all of us into the frozen water.
We also found a frozen river. And after one step onto the ice to test water, the ice gave way, and so we stood on the deck instead for a picture.
Today is CNY day 5. And pretty soon I'll be leaving for home. I am missing my family, missing my sister, missing my fiancé (who is back home - jealous max!). Really wish my whole family can reunite for CNY again as a whole, and that my sister is following me home.
Happy Chinese Horse Year!
CNY is suppose to be the festival where families reunite, very much like Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the US. Alas this year, I will be able to celebrate the last 5 days of CNY in Msia.
Last year's CNY was a disaster. I was initially planning to visit Philly, but snowstorm blizzard Nemo decided to hit, canceling all trains and planes out of Boston, leaving me stranded along in Boston. In desperate attempt to have a reunion, I ended up visiting Daniel, a high school friend of more than 15 years, which actually turned out to be much fun.
This year, CNY eve I was on call in the hospital, but on CNY day 1, I was blessed with a reunion with my sister. We then had a pretty unique CNY day 2 activity together.
We went skiing! It was very fun. My sister is such a fast learner that she was able to go to the peak and ski down by the end of the day. And I improved too, was able to go down a blue slope and didn't fall at all.
CNY Day 2, we had a proper reunion meal, Jap BBQ lunch (since we were all sick of steamboat, or as the Americans call it, Hotpot).
I am very thankful for the friends I have in Boston. They are like family to me. It is really quite amazing for Malaysians to meet half way across the world from home.
We also walked around before it was time for my sis to catch her flight home (much to my dismay). We found a frozen lake. And we were brave enough to try stand on it to take a picture.
Have to thank my lucky stars that the surface didn't crack and swallow all of us into the frozen water. We also found a frozen river. And after one step onto the ice to test water, the ice gave way, and so we stood on the deck instead for a picture.
Today is CNY day 5. And pretty soon I'll be leaving for home. I am missing my family, missing my sister, missing my fiancé (who is back home - jealous max!). Really wish my whole family can reunite for CNY again as a whole, and that my sister is following me home.
Happy Chinese Horse Year!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Closure
It has been a while since I pen thoughts down in this page. Many a times I browse through it, often reading the good times I had back in the old days, but when it comes to actually sitting down to write, I simply do not have the time. The small light bulb that popped up in the middle of work simply disappears by the time I get home.
Today, a small gnawing thought popped up at the back of my head. And it is something I simply could not shed. It disappears momentarily through out the years, but it never really disappear. Although it doesn't really bother me, it makes me wonder why I always think about it. Therefore I think the matter needs some closure, and perhaps writing it down may help slightly.
Years fly by so quickly. It is now Jan 2014, and it seems like just weeks ago I took the leap of faith and hopped onto the airplane to fly half way across the world. I remember the sobs of tears exchanged. If you sit down and do actual math, it is actually 3 and half years ago. THREE and half YEARS AGO. How did time fly by so fast?
Before I left, I had many friends. Some closer than others, some not so close. What I realize is that over the years, people change. And I changed too. I realize I started becoming more private. Started treasuring friendships that were genuine, starting thinking of my future. I somehow ended up keeping in touch with people that I have never really hung out in school, simply because they made it a point to keep in touch with me, and we suddenly discover that we share a million things alike. Amidst my busy schedule, I never really got around to contacting anyone. But somehow, random messages from small conversations turn into routine chartings. And those who I was really close with, cut me out of their lives.
Life in America had been kind to me. Got me good grades, got me a good residency, and all along I had a companion, a best friend, a supporter, a cheerleader, and now a fiancé. It has also been a soul searching journey where I realize what kind of person I am when outside of the warm comfort of my home. Yet among all good (and bad) things that happen to me, I made a promise to myself, to never let anyone who cares for me down. I loved, I cared, and I whole heartedly reach out to those individuals who we once shared something unique together. My efforts were occasionally reciprocated, and to those who did, we stayed best of friends. But to those who didn't, its time to put a stop to the futile effort. This is it, this is the much needed end of those good moments we no longer share. A full stop, my much needed closure.
I'm glad I turn out okay. I'm glad I have the drive and motivation to pursue what I really like instead of crumble into a pile of dust amidst all adversities. Till today I still surprise myself when I wake up at 430am to pinch myself in the cheek checking if I am really going to work under a surgical residency (both unbelieving that I have to work so early, and unbelieving that I AM in a surgical residency).
Good times, bad times, they all come somehow. We all just need to make use of the best of it. I laughed, I cried, and I do crumble into a pile of dust, but more often than not I have many extending hands reaching out to pull me out of it. I have no resolutions this year, but I have one for the many years to come. I want to have no regrets.
Today, a small gnawing thought popped up at the back of my head. And it is something I simply could not shed. It disappears momentarily through out the years, but it never really disappear. Although it doesn't really bother me, it makes me wonder why I always think about it. Therefore I think the matter needs some closure, and perhaps writing it down may help slightly.
Years fly by so quickly. It is now Jan 2014, and it seems like just weeks ago I took the leap of faith and hopped onto the airplane to fly half way across the world. I remember the sobs of tears exchanged. If you sit down and do actual math, it is actually 3 and half years ago. THREE and half YEARS AGO. How did time fly by so fast?
Before I left, I had many friends. Some closer than others, some not so close. What I realize is that over the years, people change. And I changed too. I realize I started becoming more private. Started treasuring friendships that were genuine, starting thinking of my future. I somehow ended up keeping in touch with people that I have never really hung out in school, simply because they made it a point to keep in touch with me, and we suddenly discover that we share a million things alike. Amidst my busy schedule, I never really got around to contacting anyone. But somehow, random messages from small conversations turn into routine chartings. And those who I was really close with, cut me out of their lives.
Life in America had been kind to me. Got me good grades, got me a good residency, and all along I had a companion, a best friend, a supporter, a cheerleader, and now a fiancé. It has also been a soul searching journey where I realize what kind of person I am when outside of the warm comfort of my home. Yet among all good (and bad) things that happen to me, I made a promise to myself, to never let anyone who cares for me down. I loved, I cared, and I whole heartedly reach out to those individuals who we once shared something unique together. My efforts were occasionally reciprocated, and to those who did, we stayed best of friends. But to those who didn't, its time to put a stop to the futile effort. This is it, this is the much needed end of those good moments we no longer share. A full stop, my much needed closure.
I'm glad I turn out okay. I'm glad I have the drive and motivation to pursue what I really like instead of crumble into a pile of dust amidst all adversities. Till today I still surprise myself when I wake up at 430am to pinch myself in the cheek checking if I am really going to work under a surgical residency (both unbelieving that I have to work so early, and unbelieving that I AM in a surgical residency).
Good times, bad times, they all come somehow. We all just need to make use of the best of it. I laughed, I cried, and I do crumble into a pile of dust, but more often than not I have many extending hands reaching out to pull me out of it. I have no resolutions this year, but I have one for the many years to come. I want to have no regrets.
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