I finally met Jane Chuck and Daphne Charice!

Or at least that's what I thought for a mere 10 minutes?

I had a dream this morning.

Alright, so it goes back to abt half a year ago, when I first got to know about Jane Chuck and Daphne Charice (Malaysian bloggers). I started following their blog and Instagram. They're pretty famous in Malaysia, Jane has abt 300++k followers on IG, while Daphne close to 100k. They're both best friends just in case you have no clue who they are.

1 fine day, I had this random thought. There are many cafes that have sprung up in the last few years, some serve really good food and coffees, some don't. But they all seem to be doing okay, if not well. I live in Alor Setar and there's absolutely nothing to do here, so I visit cafes every now and then to kill time. For the past year, I have noticed many new cafes opening here. All of them are surviving (except one, which always seems empty when I drive past), but not all are decent. So I was thinking, if Jane and Daphne both open up a cafe, whether or not they serve quality food and beverages, they can easily maintain their customers or expand their business merely with their popularity. Honestly, I would want to hang out in their cafe just to probably catch a glance of them, OR maybe have a lil conversation *gasp*, OR take a selfie with them *faints*, OR perhaps just drinking coffee made by them (I don't even like coffees actually). And they'll make big bucks just from this!

That was just a random thought. Which I shared with Ming a couple of months back.

Yesterday, I think I found out that both of them had opened a cafe together. Called Project Space Coffee. It's all very vague because I see many "congratulations" and "what's the operating hours" and "is this yr cafe" but never clear answers for the last question. However, I assume it's true. Because I really wish they did. And I would totally visit.

Going back to the original topic. So perhaps due to yesterday's discovery, I dreamt that I met Daphne and Jane, probably in their cafe, though it seems more like my aunt's house (which doesn't make a lot of sense). Anyway, in my dream, I was trying to talk to Daphne but she didn't seem too keen in replying me. I was obviously a lil disheartened. I always wonder how it'd be like if ever I met them. I'd probably be very nervous and all. Though to think abt it, I really shouldn't be. I'm older than them. I'm a dentist! I meet random people all the time and I talk to strangers a lot. But. But. They're so pretty! Yea, that must be it. They're probably too pretty, with flawless skin and everything for me to talk to them normally.
But oh well, if I really do see them one day, lets say in their "newly opened cafe" (if its even real), I do hope that they will be nice and friendly. *fingers crossed* ;)


On a side note, I think I MIGHT have sorta overcome my phobia of approaching preggies. (I previously had trouble getting them for dental check-ups because I, in the recent years, has developed into an introvert, and approaching random ppl isn't my forte.) But since this is part of my job, I had no choice but to go against my instinct and bring myself to do what I really hate. And I have sucked at it, as revealed by the record we keep. However, for the past 2 visits, I surprisingly exceeded my personal quota (which is a pathetic 3, or on a good day, 5). I managed to fetch 16 preggies yesterday! Unbelievable, isn't it? *gloats*

So what has changed? I don't really know. I'm guessing it's because I moved to more strategic location, so it's somewhat easier for me to catch them. And I have been making it a point to go with a white coat, so that they realize I'm actually a Dr, and not a COLGATE PROMOTER.
Oh, another trick is to look somewhat serious, so it looks like I'm busy doing my job and it' s part of the routine though the truth is, I'm partially interfering their check-up process with the medical doctors. Well just a lil bit. :)

Lets hope this spirit stays on a lil bit longer. ;)

Plastic, so what?

I think the society is grossly divided into 3 categories of ppl:
1) the judgemental
2) the neutral/open
3) the indifferent

I probably fall somewhere in between neutral or indifferent. The most annoying type is obviously the judgemental who likes to condemn others.

Truth is, everyone is different, and whatever that differs from the norm isn't necessarily bad. I don't mean to self-praise but I do think that I'm pretty accepting and I respect people's life choices. I hardly despise, I never like to judge, as long as your actions do not cross/harm me.

I never understand why others find plastic surgery such a big fuss. Yes she wasn't born that way, and she decided to improve her looks, so what? Millions of people wear braces to change their horribly aligned teeth, and that's not natural as well. Don't tell me it doesn't change yr look much, IT SURELY DOES. It even changes your jawline if you have extracted some teeth. Maybe that's a small scale beauty adjustment but if you're all about being natural and accepting the way you're born then don't do anything at all. Maybe you're not going to her extent because your problem/need isn't as great as hers. But don't be too quick to judge. I think it's pretty hypocritical to be selectively accepting of beauty corrections. Like it's perfectly acceptable to extract 4 teeth and rearrange your horribly aligned teeth but it's so wrong/vain to inject some fillers to sharpen slightly your nose or have fuller lips.

You know many people paste eyelid stickers to have nicer double eyelids, and if you use it long enough, those folds can become permanent.
So, the idea of pasting stickers seem quite alright, but undergoing eyelid surgeries is a no-no? If you think about it, the results are the same! In the end, you get fake double eyelids which you were never born with.

"Their children won't look like them". So what, your children don't always look like you! I don't look like either of my parent. I'm not heartbroken, it's not even a big deal. Maybe if you point out that her husband will be shocked if their children turn out to look like her ugly past, it's kinda valid. So if her husband knows, it's all good? Many people are becoming more honest about their plastic surgeries.(I think it's annoying if you're plastic but claim to be all natural, so just come clean!) And I think the reason to remain ugly just so that people can recognize at first glance those are your children, is so stupid!

People undergo so much pain and sacrifice so much money in hope that they can look better. It's really their choice. If they truly feel happier and more confident with their new look, let them be? Some are lucky to be born pretty, with flawless skin and nice eyes, some aren't. If you're contented with the way you are, it's really good for you, you save yourself a lot of trouble and money. Try to be empathetic, not judgemental. The world could really use more ppl like this.


P.S. I'm not saying this because I have any intention of going plastic in the future, I'm just really annoyed sometimes by all the insensitive comments.

Don't ever say you'll NEVER EVER do this EVEN IF you look a certain way, because you'll never really know until you're in that situation.
No offence ppl, just my thoughts.

Since when was I like this?

So I notice it has been about 2 years since I last blogged. I don't know what stopped me. I did not even rmb my blogspot, I had to look it up on my Instagram. Well, not that it matters actually, I don't think anyone really reads this. However, I don't write for you, you, or you. I write mainly because I like to. I write because I like reading back old posts and be reminded of past incidents and emotions. Why post it online, you may be wondering. First, because I often lose thing, I figured it won't really disappear if it's here. Second, it's for kay-po ppl (like you who may be reading this) to sneak up on my life. (Haha :D) I don't expect anyone to click on my page out of the blue since it really has been 2 years, so I guess I do have the freedom to express a lil more freely my true thoughts.

So, why my sudden urge to write again? Honestly, ever since I started working (in Alor Setar) as a dentist, I've had plenty of time on my hands. AS is not particularly a very entertaining place so eventually I'd run out of things to do in the weekends. I've thought abt blogging SO MANY TIMES but somehow I've nvr gotten to it. However, today, I FINALLY do, because I've been sitting on this chair with my cell phone for 2 hours waiting for some pregnant ladies to be referred to this nice and caring (not) dentist for dental check up but none showed up. I'm a little annoyed by the staff nurses who promised to refer the preggies to me after their check ups, and NONE came. Come on, there were at least 10 of em sitting there this morning. ZERO? Hey, it's not that I'm very eager to do this, it's a freakin requirement.

This ANC (ante-natal care) part of my job has been particularly challenging for me. I'm generally an introvert (discovered in the recent years, and probably worsening), having to approach strangers is pretty hard for me. I super HATE it when I have to randomly go up to ppl and request for sth? But I'm now assigned to do this twice a week. *stabs myself in the heart*

Anyway, it's about time I return to my clinic, with ZERO achievement. Really gotta work on my PR skills. Gosh. Ciao~

OMG..

...it's a miracle i still remember my username and password to the blog.

It has been sorta a crazy day for me. I woke up with so much thoughts and worries, it's annoying. I was calculating and estimating the time i could and should allocate for each patient and procedure, it ended up giving me a headache. Hate having a tight tight schedule.

I have never been fast at doing anything, really, but these days I see the need of speed.. I used to enjoy being slow, it feels like i'm living. I liked to eat slowly, walk slowly. I liked to keep water in my mouth for a couple of seconds before i swallow (I don't know the purpose of that). It's just habit i guess. And I came to realize that i do things very slowly in the clinic as well. Well, speed means money in dentistry. The faster u work, the more patients you can take. I have been struggling to be fast, I look at my watch ever so often. It's kinda pressuring. Be glad if u're born a fast person. Seriously.


Anyway, after the not-so-pleasant morning, I made him buy me breakfast and pineapple (my craving) while i chilled on bed. He had to cut the pineapple and it certainly isn't an easy task. Seeing so much of effort put in, it lifted my mood. I guess every once a while u need to know that there're ppl who r willing to sacrifice for u. :) My lips and tongue are so sore from too much pineapple. Gluttony kills.

I brought home some patient work but I guess i don't bother anymore. Things will fall into place somehow, time for a stress-free life. Cheers. ;)

A lil reflection..

Some people get offended silently,
The innocent soul is punished unknowingly,
The truth comes to surface,
When silence prevails over time.
She ponders and wonders,
And as energy wears off,
So does the matter in her heart.
That's how a chapter ends at times.

-The end-

Well done, I guess?

What could be more joyful than to pass the toughest level in BDS.


It was a lot of hard work.
Plenty of commitments with the books.
Overwhelming fear and worry and  guilt.
But those days, have made today glorious.

Today, I'm officially a Final Year dental student.
5 years is certainly a long path,
but when there's passion,
It's definitely worthy.

More than anything, I'm just glad to not have let my parents down.
Because I know,
they have always believed in me.
Always.

Justin

This is probably unusual, but there's always this thing I find in strangers which intrigues me. I was at Optimax ytd for my "All laser lasik" surgery. When I entered the surgical waiting room, there were 2 men sitting so comfortably on the couch, with their legs crossed. Both of them were in surgical gowns, head caps and feet wraps. For a moment I was wondering if they were surgeons or patients. 1 of them went in for surgery, and in the midst of all the silence and anxiety, this other guy asked me a question which led to an interesting conversation. We finally got interrupted by the surgeon who had to explain to us our procedures. Without a proper end to our conversation, he went ahead with his surgery and we went separate ways afterwards. This morning, I had to return to the eye centre for a check up. As i was leaving the building, I bumped into him again, we were both rushing so it was just a "hello-goodbye" thing. What caught my attention though was that he said "See you later" as he was walking away. He said the exact same words before he went into the surgical room ytd. It made me ponder, will I ever see this person again? He really seems to be someone I could easily befriend. Some things just come and go. I don't know, I guess life is interesting that way. So mysterious and unpredictable.


Coming to my Lasik experience. Honestly, I thk it would be less scary if it was entirely machine dependent. What scares me most was when I was told that the degree of power elimination depends highly on my head positioning. The way I orient my eyes to the machine determines the residual power. Of course, there's a guiding indicator, which comes in the form of 4 lights which is supposed to form a perfect square apparently.


"All laser lasik" is a 2-stage procedure, using only laser for the entire surgery. Firstly, a super thin flap is raised, followed by reshaping of the cornea. The important thing in the entire procedure is to be able to hold still the eyeball. Really really still. There was a moment when I totally lost my vision when they applied high pressure to my eyeball, and I had NO IDEA if I actually kept it very still. I heard the count down and i was extremely impatient. I didn't know how long more I could hold still. Everything was white. It took approximately 22 seconds to raise the flap. This is the most dangerous part of the surgery, I was told. Before the commencement of the second part of the surgery, I was asked if the lights above me were parallel. I was under so much of pressure, you'd never understand. Parallel. It took me a while to interpret this word. I wasn't sure what he meant by that. The lights were surely not square like he mentioned earlier. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. The lights seemed a lil off, not too parallel to me, but the 4 lights were parallel to each other. I was thinking so hard. I kept quiet even after the surgeon asked me a couple of times. I started looking around, and he emphasized sternly a couple more times that I'm supposed to look at the 4 lights as a whole. With much doubts, I finally said yes, weakly, softly, vaguely. He asked again, I repeated my answer. He then informed me that the machine calibration indicated that the position was alright. I guess I was more relief to hear that, because I trust the machine much more than I trust myself. Human error, u know, is inevitable. And, Jamie error, is much much higher. Anyway, so I proceeded with the surgery by looking at the central green beam as instructed. That wasn't as hard as the previous steps.



Right after the surgery, I looked into the mirror and my first reaction was "My eyeball is distorted!" My iris wasn't perfectly round, It was sort of cut-off on the medial side, giving this illusion that my entire eyeball was rotated to the corner of my eye. I thought there was a mistake there, but the nurse assured me by saying that it is absolutely normal. True enough, my iris came back to normal in about an hour's time. The irritation came during the 2nd post-surgical hour, but it didn't last long. I could tell that my eyesight was already corrected by the time I left the surgical bed. It was only a lil bit hazy due to the flap. There is still bleeding on my conjunctiva, which would probably persist for another 2 weeks or so. Being overwhelmed with the lights issue, I actually woke up in the middle of the night wondering if it had affected the outcome of my surgery. I guess this would haunt me for a while. Your vision, afterall, is the most important thing in your life. Well, for me, at least. I'm hoping I didn't just do something which I would regret for the rest of my life.


It was a scary experience. I'd be glad if I never have to undergo the same procedure ever again.

However, I can now kiss GOODBYE to my over-sized glasses. ;)

Thank you, Dr Chuah. ;)