Sleep. Food. Shopping

It was a pleasure to know that my room is still as it is - mosquito-infested, sunny and warm; but it is rather appalling to note our house is gradually being invaded by new furniture and cushions and paraphernalia of every kind. The house computer has been reformatted, and I don't think it can last any longer; Our rabbit passed peacefully due to pneumonia a few months ago, and to wake up every morning not being greeted by his verocious eating is still rather weird for me.

A traditional paper ticket by Malaysia Airlines. Perhaps the last of its kind, this thing will become history in months to come.

The period ranging from the end of January to mid-February is the hottest and most heaty period in Malaysia. I land in Penang only to find my back covered totally in sweat before I exited the airport. Anyway, my arrival had been marked with an avalanche of food - first my cousin's wedding in Bukit Mertajam, and then a family gathering at E&O Hotel. With that amount of food and all the pampering, not to gain weight during the festive season would be a miracle.

The faulty engine on my flight back to Penang. It had to be manually ignited by the little truck in front of it. Rest assured, the rest of the flight was pleasant and uneventful, and safe.

True to my expectations, being at home means an abundance of time for things you can only dream of when you're at school where every second counts. I have been home for 3 days now and I have slept 1.5 days away. The humid weather coupled with my semi-paralyzed mind means idling time away at home without feeling guilty. It's 9.30 now and I haven't even took my morning shower. Mum would whack me for this a few years back (and still would now), but I don't mind the whacking since I'll be off to Gurney as soon as this is done.
In your more conscious and well-off senses you thank God for everything you have (or had had). You do always complain why things are so unfair towards you (like not having a girlfriend or not being as good-looking as Patrick Dampsey (McDreamy?) or not owning a Mac), but once you see those less fortunate than you, things around you become more precious than you ever thought. In the Sim family I'm the second grandson doing a university degree, and the first in generations to become a doctor. Yeah, I often wonder why I couldn't be Jieyang's brother and do my degree in London and enjoy all the luxuries in life at such a young age, but when you look back at your humble origins, you thank God because at least He granted you an opportunity.

The cheerful Sim family celebrating the birthday of our Elder Aunt and Husband of Second Aunt

It is both saddening and adventurous to note in a few years to come I would be spending every day out of the 365 days every year in a hospital looking after patients. Home will be slowly and forcibly detached from my soul. It might not be a bad thing at the end of the day, but this has been the norm for as long as human beings can remember - we always cope with it.