I feel I'm Stoned -_-

Sometimes I wonder what am I doing online all the time, not chatting with a single soul on any messenger nor updating myself with latest technology. Probably I'm just hooked to the line, that's all. Well, there was a period of time when I stopped using Facebook and I survived happily, knowing that there are more than just hooking onto the line and probing into lives of people and wonder why I don't deserve the same opportunities as they do. (Pathetic thought no. 1). Now that I'm sort of back on Facebook and at the same time updating my blog as frequent as I can, I started wondering "What the heck am I doing checking and looking at photos of people?" when I know I have more than just this. Maybe it's just another day where I started wondering if I can reach beyond the impossible.

I know I have to keep trusting God who has affirmed me again and again of His love and His faithfulness. Maybe I'm just too spoilt and pampered. Oh well... Life goes on... *cough*

I feel I'm stoned. Dang! Too much sleep can cause the central nervous system to enter into slow-motion-mode.

Again and Again... A Decision to Make

"Another day has come to an end. What fun is there if there's no You in my life? I guess no fun at all though I probably will be having "fun" yet don't feel it at all. Numbness shall surround my body and I'll go looking around for the reasons to live. Yet, with You, all things become possible, all things become holy. You alone becomes the rock that I stand firmly on. You alone becomes the alcove of refuge when I am lost and sad. Yes, only You will come for me, again and again... THANKS, LORD JESUS."

I'm still procrastinating to do something drastic. Yupe, due to uncertainties, fears, and endless "what-ifs". As I came back from daily mass, had wholemeal bread with tuna while waiting for my ABC soup to heat up in the wok, I checked my MSN and my blog to find two particular individuals who had posted a message which I think is from God to me. A friend on my contact list posted a shoutout of "Do not fear" and Emily Sutherland blogged an entry entitling "Live Fearlessly".

What was posted that really hits me is this part:

Looking around, it may seem that no one else has insecurities quite like you do. But believe me, they do. Very likely, they believe you are the one who is fearless. So rise to the occasion. Live fearlessly. Be the bold, hopeful voice the world longs to hear. It starts with looking people in the eye, making decisions that give you room to grow, choosing not to use the filter you once used that stopped you in your tracks. Choose a new filter… one that does not allow insecurity to be a deciding factor. Just do what you know you need to do. Live moment by moment, don’t worry about where the next ounce of courage will come from. It will be there when you need it.

What I highlighted really empowered me to do what I need to do. I think it is time. And I pray it will be according to God who wills all things to happen because He loves me so. And I pray this decision will give me room to grow. When time is ripe, I will disclose what decision I made so far.

Till then, you-who-read-my-blog, please keep me in prayers for strength, courage and faith to follow the Guide, who is the Holy Spirit, who was there with Jesus and God in the beginning.

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

As I was doing my work while wondering why is my sorethroat still there after taking DCM Expectorant and Prednisolone prescribed by the doctor this morning... I remembered a book I saw in a second-hand store which I wanted to but eventually did not buy - The Great Influenza. I remembered that was in 2003 when I had to study about SARS outbreak in Immunology/Virology class with Prof. Dr. Ho. I was interested in reading it, but a poor student was I, couldn't fork out RM45 for a hand-me-down book at that time...

Here's an excerpt from a website which I think it is interesting...

The effect of the influenza epidemic was so severe that the average life span in the US was depressed by 10 years. The influenza virus had a profound virulence, with a mortality rate at 2.5% compared to the previous influenza epidemics, which were less than 0.1%. The death rate for 15 to 34-year-olds of influenza and pneumonia were 20 times higher in 1918 than in previous years (Taubenberger). People were struck with illness on the street and died rapid deaths. One anectode shared of 1918 was of four women playing bridge together late into the night. Overnight, three of the women died from influenza (Hoagg). Others told stories of people on their way to work suddenly developing the flu and dying within hours (Henig). One physician writes that patients with seemingly ordinary influenza would rapidly "develop the most viscous type of pneumonia that has ever been seen" and later when cyanosis appeared in the patients, "it is simply a struggle for air until they suffocate," (Grist, 1979). Another physician recalls that the influenza patients "died struggling to clear their airways of a blood-tinged froth that sometimes gushed from their nose and mouth," (Starr, 1976). The physicians of the time were helpless against this powerful agent of influenza. In 1918 children would skip rope to the rhyme (Crawford):

I had a little bird,

Its name was Enza.

I opened the window,

And in-flu-enza.

The influenza pandemic circled the globe. Most of humanity felt the effects of this strain of the influenza virus. It spread following the path of its human carriers, along trade routes and shipping lines. Outbreaks swept through North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Brazil and the South Pacific (Taubenberger).

Click here to read more.

I find a similarity in the article with the previous entry I posted on the statement released by WHO Director-General which is this:

In the two years that this scourge ravaged the earth, a fifth of the world's population was infected. The flu was most deadly for people ages 20 to 40. This pattern of morbidity was unusual for influenza which is usually a killer of the elderly and young children.

Is history repeating itself? Sounds like the same type of virus is attacking human race after about 90 years of silence. I'm thinking of getting the book (The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History). Seriously thinking how to get my hands on this book! God please help me!!!

Let us pray:
O Merciful and Loving God, have mercy on us all and spare us from this current A(H1N1) virus attack. Amen!

Influenza Pandemic

I'm trying to follow the timeline of the Type A influenze virus, H1N1, which was firstly discovered to be transmitted from swine (pig) to human. Now WHO has declared that it is an influenza pandemic. I read this statement released by WHO's Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009 and I'd like to share this part of her statement with you all out there:

On the basis of available evidence, and these expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met.

I have therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.

The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.

We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch.

No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning. The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness.

We have a head start. This places us in a strong position. But it also creates a demand for advice and reassurance in the midst of limited data and considerable scientific uncertainty.

Thanks to close monitoring, thorough investigations, and frank reporting from countries, we have some early snapshots depicting spread of the virus and the range of illness it can cause.

We know, too, that this early, patchy picture can change very quickly. The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.

Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another.

On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.

Worldwide, the number of deaths is small. Each and every one of these deaths is tragic, and we have to brace ourselves to see more. However, we do not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections.

We know that the novel H1N1 virus preferentially infects younger people. In nearly all areas with large and sustained outbreaks, the majority of cases have occurred in people under the age of 25 years.

In some of these countries, around 2% of cases have developed severe illness, often with very rapid progression to life-threatening pneumonia.

Most cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years.

This pattern is significantly different from that seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza, when most deaths occur in frail elderly people...

Click here to read the full article.

What I find most interesting was most cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years old (yups, that's the young adult group and me). Besides that, I find that probably many parts of the world, especially those countries who had experienced cases of SARS to be prepared to handle this pandemic. However, I also noticed that there might be countries, including my own (kinda embarrassed to state, but a fact is a fact), that might have taken for granted the severity of this pandemic.

I was very impressed with the safety measurement done by Kuching International Airport which requires all flight passangers to declare their health status and written down details of themselves on a form for health clearance, which actually will help to locate the people in case H1N1 is found on any passanger entering the border of Sarawak. However, I was NOT so impressed when I flew to KL LCCT and also KK LCCT that there was no security clearance or health checks performed on domestic flights passangers. You'll be surprised that many people who have returned from overseas to Malaysia might pass KL/KK LCCT because they need to return to their hometowns in respective states in Malaysia. Yet, domestic flights are not scanned. What the heck!

Now there are 17 confirmed cases in Malaysia... Mostly from people who are studying or had been abroad (overseas) and somehow got themselves "infected". Are the people irresponsible? Or do the global authorities need to do something more drastic to stop the spreading of A(H1N1) virus? A visit to the doctor this morning put us in this discussion that eventually all of us will get this virus because there is no way to stop it. How come? Is it because the capitalists are not willing to sacrifice their profits? Or is it because people who are overseas just can't wait to return to their homeland to see their loved ones? What is more selfish then? To return asap to see their loved ones but risk the possibility of bringing along the virus? Or to wait until the whole thing subsides before coming home?

One thing I realise is now is summer break for northern hemisphere and winter break for southeren hemisphere. Basically it is term break for most universities in the world. Students are travelling near and far, to return home after a long period away or to travel and experience the world. There is no way stopping that from happening. Then what is going to happen next to this Influenza Pandemic?

Let's pray:
Lord Jesus, we know You are the Healer and the Physician of all sicknesses and ailments. We lift unto You this global influenza pandemic so that You may be able to lead the authorities and the global citizens to do the right thing and make the right decisions by the Holy Spirit in order to cease the spreading of the virus. Lord God, we know we're living at the end of times, where many have turned to evils and chose against repentance. O Lord our Mighty God, we pray that You will not harden Your heart against Your people and You'll hear our prayers and heal those who have been infected by this virus and their families. Dead Lord, thank You and praise You for all the grace that You've given us all. And all these we pray through Your most precious and holy Name. Amen!

The weather, the Flu and the MC

I feel I'm living in an oven these days. Was in Kuching, KL, Kota Bahru, Jerteh, Perhentian Islands, Kluang, Senai, and now Kota Kinabalu. Yups, the whole Malaysia seems to be baked in an oven!!! What's happening to the world? Global warming, and NO RAIN!!!!

I miss diving in Perhentian Islands... Despite this stupid weather!

Now I'm having this cough, dry spell worsening it!!!


And finally, unable to do much but spreading germs, I went to see a doctor for medications and MC to stay away from the school kidz...



And this is the story of the weather, the flu and the MC... ^^

Hawksbill Turtle

Tripod looks something like this, just that he lost rear left flipper, and currently residing in Tokong Laut

Maybe my ambassador should be something like this... Hehe! :P

Perhentian Rendezvous

I'm back on my blog, I hope. With so much to do after two weeks of vacation, I'll try to blog as often as I can, if my brain is working well enough. Hehe! I'm still missing my short getaway in Perhentian. Arghh~~~ Maybe I'm addicted to the compressed air??? LOL! Anyway, photos speak louder than words on blog yeah?

My Perhentian Rendezvous wouldn't have happened if not because these two lovely friends of mine decided to tie the knot in the middle of school holidays... Hence my visit to Kota Bahru, Kelantan & Jerteh, Terengganu. On the way to the husband's house, I noticed a road sign written "Jeti ke Pulau Perhentian 10 km" and realized I was just a footstep away from one of the loveliest dive spots in Malaysia!!! So when "situation" occured and I didn't have a ticket to go back to Kluang, Johor... My mind spinned the idea of hiding there for a night to reflect upon life and all... And where should I go next?

The jetty in Kuala Besut, Terengganu, the "door" for my exit from mainland to island getaway! My adventure indeed!

There comes the boat! I was sooo worried it would be a tiny speed boat. Thank God it is a tuna! Nope, not a fish... Just TUNA Express!

Excited until cannot see my eyes! Haha! I felt a strong emotion as I looked at the deep blue sea... My passion in life. Oh my~~~

The Sweden siblings I met prior to the ride... The girl's name is Geraldine. Lovely gal, isn't she? I forgot the brother's name, I think he's Damien or Danion or Daniel. He has beautiful greyish eyes... *smiles* Shall email her tonight I guess...

Abang polis marin checking on us to ensure the boat only had 10 passengers. Strict rules apparently. My guess is to prevent IIs (Illegal Immigrants).

Geraldine has this cute hippo. Maybe I should get a hawksbill turtle doll and bring it around the next time I go travelling...

Lovely weather in Perhentian... I'm always on HIGH mode when I see the ocean... especially the DEEP BLUE one with the light blue clear sky...

That's where I stayed~~~ The room upstairs...

Nice eh?

Lovely sea...

The trail I found...

is the trail I followed...

Made me want to sing... "I'm so amazed by You, Lord!!!"

Getting nervous for refresher SCUBA. Totally OUT of knowledge when it comes to that... Hehe!

Nice! Outside Panorama Cafe~

Long Beach and its umbrellas....

Fizzy and I... Somehow the chord strikes at the right position when we first met... We sort of have similar thinkings somehow~

Strange fruits on the tree above where we sat!

The Divers at Turtle Bay

Sophia and me... Lovely gal~

Beach ppl, sea lover!

Me n me n me alone~

My dimpled-cheek instructor of the day - Jono.

I wonder what were those guys doing??? -_- Never mind, I'll sit and wait...

Nice sky eh...

My escorts.

Imagine I actually tracked the hill? (Only the shadowy part, mind you...)

From that part with some buildings...

Time of reflection after the sun sets in Perhentian... With fruits and 100 plus. Realize life is not just about one thing. It is about living it to the fullest possibilities. And thank You Lord for all.

Contented look after seeing Tripod, the three-legged turtle when diving at the Pinnacle (Tokong Laut) in the morning... And lots of fishes... but definitely the turtle made me day brighter~~

Ahh... My dive buddy that morning - David.

Divemaster cum darlie toothpaste upcoming model - Yaakub!

Ok, I'm impressed.

Sophia again... Lovely gal~

Hmm... I wished I actually got to know him... But yeah, anybody help me to identify his name pls?!

There are sharks, beware! I saw one in the Pinnacle too! *winks*

Another shot with Yaakub before I left...

Me after Tom Yam soup and rice. Recharged.

Lord God, thank You so much for such a wonderful trip to Perhentian Island, and the diving and the underwater world and the people I met there. Many are becoming friends. People who love the sea can't be bad people. I pray You'll continue guiding me to discover deeper Your calling for me and to bring more joy to the people around me. Lord God, You know I have my imperfections and weaknesses, may these be used to magnify more of You and less of me. I finally know that my anchor of happiness is You. No matter how much fears I have in me, You can dispel all. No matter how much loneliness I feel at times, the knowledge that You love me is enough to keep me through. Boredom can set it easily, but I know You are never boring. Thank You for showering me with friends when I traveled alone. All the way from the jetty to the island to the dive centre back to the chalet and to Kuala Besut when I missed my last bus. Thank You for giving me good people who cared genuinely and sincerely without ulterior motives. Lord Jesus, please bless the lives of those who have touched my life in Your loving and gentle ways. And may they come to know You again one day and their lives be filled with genuine happiness. Thank You for the safe journey, especially the part when I was in the middle of a secondary jungle getting lost... and all that happened because everything happens for a reason and I thank You for making things possible for me. And all these I pray through Jesus who loves us more than anything. Amen!!!

P/S: Sorry, Joanne, lambat upload... met with Justine, another friend I met in Perhentian, and ended up chatting for a while.