World of Warcraft

Livyen: Level 70 Night Elf Priest on Der Rat von Dalaran

Yup, I've got a character in the World of Warcraft named after me. It happened moons ago when a friend ran out of names to name his characters. All the names he wanted were taken up. And Mr. Smart Alec decided that "Livyen" is rather uncommon and unlikely to be taken up.

Hence, this.... in my honour.

Man, I love my friends!

-LV-

SUPER CUTE softtoys I saw at Jusco Kinta City, Ipoh yesterday.

-LV-

Bocor Again!

My nose works better than a dust detector (if such thing exists). I'll start sneezing the moment I step into a dusty car or room. The culprit this time: my 4 day old unventilated place. I went home for the weekend. Hence, the lack of ventilation. Alas, I'm ko-ed once again!

-LV-

Reasons Why I Love My Doctors

I went to the Dermatologist's as well today. (Was just there as a 'moral supporter' and not the patient btw).

Stepped into the room, plonked myself down onto the chair directly opposite Mr. Dermatologist. He proceeded to examine the patient and then turned his attention to me.

"Hey, I've treated you before! I recognise your face!", he exclaimed in an excited manner.

"Yeah, but that was ages ago! Man, you've got good memory!", I remarked.

And Mr. Dermatologist went (note: I'm not the patient for today!), "So did you do anything with your keloid scar?" (I've got a scar on my right wrist, due to a nasty fall during my athletics days.)

"Nah, I've just left it as it is, though it hurts at times. No point doing steroid injections and all for that...", I replied casually.

Mr. Dermatologist continued, "Yeah, cosmetic surgery is an option too, but I don't see the need for it. But you've just got to be really careful you know, no piercings, cuts and all. You're so prone to them."

"Yeah I know..."

And then came the cracker from Mr. Dermatologist...

"But they will love you when you go to Africa!"

And I went (a bit confused), "What?!?!?! They even more prone to keloids themselves!"

"Yeah, but they practice self-scarification. They use bamboo shoots to cut their face so that they get keloids on their face. Well, they think it makes them look more like warriors, you know..."

I was dumbfounded. Really kena cha dou!

PS: My apologies for taking the limelight away from the patient! :P

-LV-

The Dentist's Mantra

One thing my dentist never fails to tell me everytime I visit;

"You should seriously consider Orthodontic treatment".

And I'll never fail to dutifully nod my head and give him my sweet smile. *grins* Yeah, I know my vampire-like teeth look horrible! *grins again*

-LV-

And I'll Sleep in This

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...

May I present to you, my mattress/bed from 28th July - 1st September 2008. Proudly purchased from Tesco.

I've actually got one from Coleman. But it's a lot heavier and thicker than this. Due to my wishful attempt to pack and travel light during the 5 week expedition and beyond, (and yup, for practical reasons) I've decided to get this.

It's a lot thinner and lighter; and at 120gm/m² of *ahem* polyfibre insulation (I have no idea what is this) or so, the label says, I assume that this, coupled with a sleeping mat shall be sufficient to last me for 5 weeks. Let's hope the fabric wont fall apart during expedition.

At only RM16.90 for this, I'm not complaining!

-LV-

On Autonomy

Taking a break from my books. Hence, this...
___

The recent decision of with regards to the recent Malaysian case brought forward by a Jehovah's witness against the UMMC has got me thinking about the doctrine of autonomy.
Yup, it's gotten me excited as I never thought that this would happen here!!!! We're taking babysteps towards the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)!!! *wishful thinking*

1. There is a strong and pressing need to uphold and to respect a patient's wishes.
2. Yet, at the same time, there is a need for the courts and the healthcare profession to respect the santity of life.

Jehovah's witnesses are a 'sticky category' to handle. They refuse blood products. Hence, many may refuse a life-saving operation or blood transfusion. Undoubtedly, doctors are clearly in favour of saving lives. But, are they content to sit back and watch the patient die despite having provided them with sufficient advice regarding the pros and cons of the refusal of e.g. an elective C-section?

Should the doctors and courts respect their autonomous wishes or should they act in favour of preservation of life, with disregard to the patient's religious views?
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The following is an exerpt taken from my essay entitled,
“Belatedly, English judges now recognise and endorse patients’ rights to make their own choices about medical treatment”.
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As individuals, we appreciate and value our right to make decisions concerning our daily lives. We relish the opportunity to live our lives as we deem fit. However, as far as medical treatment is concerned, is appears that the courts seem to be more keen on paying lip service to this principle. Whilst it appears to straightforward within the normal context of doctor-patient relationship, the harsh realities that befall certain categories fall foul of applying the autonomous principles. For example, pregnant women and Jehovah’s witnesses.

The Basics

In the usual course of things, all patients are presumed to be competent unless proven otherwise. The test for competence is set out in Re C; [1] a patient is considered competent if he is able to take in, retain, believe and weigh the given information, and subsequently make an informed decision based on his understanding of the medical information and advice given.

The dicta of Lord Scarman in Sidaway v Bethlem Royal Hospital Governors [2] adopted an ‘informed consent’ approach. A doctor must disclose information that a reasonable patient would like to know, due to respect for autonomy. Therefore, doctors are now duty bound to disclose information significant to assist the patients in making an informed choice. This in return, represents a higher degree of acknowledgement towards patient autonomy. Even so, it is not absolute.

The Uphill Battle

Doctors could and would always rely on the defence of therapeutic privilege.[3] So long as the disclosure of any information poses a risk of psychological damage or harm to the patient, the withholding of the information or the provision of certain medical treatment is justified. It is undoubtedly easier for the doctor to hold a patient incompetent rather than for a patient to prove his alleged competence in our society which places emphasis on medical opinions.

We face an uphill battle in upholding autonomy!

Pregnancy & Religion

As far as pregnant women and Jehovah witnesses are concerned, the courts always seem to favour beneficence to autonomy. This is regrettable, but true. In this particular area, the courts despite having endorsed this principle do not seem to be applying what they have rubber-stamped. Autonomy is a farce!

Firstly, all medical decisions concerning pregnant women must be taken, having considered two sets of interests; that of the mother and of the unborn child. How are we to balance both sets of interests? And the situation is further complicated in instances of Jehovah’s witnesses where believers often decline the receipt of any blood products. The general position as held in the UK is that so long as there is an express declaration by the patient stating his/her refusal to accept such blood products, the doctors are to respect such wishes.

However, in reality, how many doctors/healthcare professionals would be willing to stand back, with their arms folded and watch their patients die? Would courts be so daring as to uphold autonomy at the expense of one's life. Realistically speaking, upholding the autonomous decisions of patients is nothing more than a moral ideal.

The Practice: By Courts and Healthcare Practitioners

A myriad of previous decisions have ruled out any independent right of life of the foetus. In C v S and in Paton v UK, both cases held that the unborn foetus has no right of its own.[4] As it is entirely dependent on its mother, the decision of a pregnant woman (if competent) must be respected even if it means that the life of the foetus would be endangered as a result.[5] So long as the pregnant woman is competent, her decision ought to be respected even if it may be unconventional and unacceptable according normal social standards.

Life is not a bed of roses. All is well when the patient submits to the recommended course of treatment. But, when she refuses, the doctors (and often courts) would endeavour all means possible in their attempts to provide what they seem to be the best and appropriate treatment to their patients. As such, when a pregnant woman refuses consent for a life-saving Caesarean section, their decision would often be challenged on grounds of incompetence. The fact that she is a Jehovah's witness further acts to the medico-legal/bio-ethical confusion.

Despite specific endorsements towards the autonomous rights of pregnant women in Re MB (An Adult: Medical Treatment) and St. George’s Healthcare Trust v S, such approach is clearly out of favour with medical professionals and the courts. Notwithstanding the competence and the autonomous wishes of the mother, judges favour the preservation of the life of a child.

In almost each case, the justifiability of judicial decisions is often based on the notion of best interests. Doctors and courts often see this as a backdoor to overrule autonomy. Arguments may be based on the far-fetched notion that having carried the child to term, it is in the mother’s best interests to have the child delivered. It would definitely have been her primary intention, and but for her diminished capacity (i.e. labour pains and complications that may have affected her rational thinking), she would not have refused any treatment that would have risked her child’s life. And as the courts are in favour of the preservation of lives it is of no surprise that they find no difficulties of buying this argument.

For instance, in Re MB, the patient exhibited clear signs of fluctuating capacity. She had expressly consented to the operation only to withdraw it at the very last minute on numerous occasions due to her fear of needles. In this case, the court held that she was incompetent as she was unable to weigh the information given. Nonetheless, it was in her best interest to undergo a Caesarean section. Both parents wanted their child to be born, but for the mother's needle phobia.[6] Likewise, in Re L¸ the patient’s extreme needle phobia amounted to an involuntary compulsion that diminished her ability to weigh the information sufficiently in order to make a well-informed choice.[7] Admittedly, both cases do little to champion autonomy. Rather, it seems sanction medical decisions that are strongly based on the notion of best interests.[8] Hence, paternalism.

The Conclusion

Sadly, but true, the courts might be reluctant to admit that they still favour the doctrine of sanctity of life. Thus, they act to protect the life of the child, at the expense of the mother’s autonomy; all under the pretence of best interests. It is therefore without a doubt that autonomy in this particular area is nothing but a farce.

Having said that (and before I am shot by the courts and medics), medical paternalism is not necessarily a bad thing. At times, patients do need a certain amount of assistance when their rational judgments seem to be blurred by a host of other factors. Thus, the courts and healthcare professionals have an inherent duty to protect them from making mistakes that they would potentially regret later on. But when should they cease to protect?

Yes, upholding autonomy is a moral ideal, but would the preservation of the santity of life justify the overruling of such ideals?

I am still in a bind.


-LV-
___

[1] Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1994] 1 All ER 819
[2] Sidaway v Bethlem Royal Hospital Governors [1985] 1 All ER 643 (HL)
Harrington, J. Privileging the Medical Norm: Liberalism, Self-Determination and Refusal of Treatment (1996) 16 LS 348 at p. 352 - 353
[3] Sidaway v Board of Governors of the Bethlem Royal Hospital op. cit.
Mason, J.K., Mason and McCall Smith’s Law and Medical Ethics, 7th ed.,
(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006), p. 402
[4] C v S [1987] 1 All ER 1230, Paton v UK [1980] 3 EHRR 408
[5] Re MB (An Adult: Medical Treatment) [1997] 2 FCR 541 at p. 553
[6] Mason, op. cit., p 380
[7] Kirkland J. in Re L as quoted in Re MB
[8] Ibid.

Happy Dumpling Festival

Am back in 31900 for the Dumpling festival this weekend.

Got lots to read/brush-up on, plus a couple of errands to run....

The plain (sweet) version of the dumpling; served with Gula Melaka! *heaven on earth*

-LV-

Boobies Alert

OMIGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1245660.ece

I pale in comparison. He He...

-LV-

Increase, Increase, Increase...

My fellow Malaysians,

LOOK AT THE QUEUE!!!!!

Yup, that's right, the long queue in the road in front of my place. There's a petrol station round the corner from where I live. And I was wondering why there was a traffic jam along the road since 3pm today! Yeap, that was before I knew about the 40% hike. It's 10:40pm now, and the jam shows no sign of easing...

No prizes for guess the headlines for tomorrow. Yes, a 40% increase. It costs RM2.70/litre now. Feeding Bob costs me 40% extra now. Oh well! Just grin and bear with it. No choice!

This drastic increase would undoubtedly cause much shock to us, who have been enjoying petrol subsidies for time in memorial. But, give it a day or two, we will move on. Complain is all we can do, but we'll have to suck it up and move on. We have no choice but to pay a heftier sum, as we need our cars/motorbikes/scooters/etc as our means of transport.

I sincerely hope that the review in subsidies would mean more funds for other purposes.
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20080604/tts-abdullah-savings-3-last-putrajaya-993ba14.html

RM13.7 billion extra to spend!!!!!! Now, that's money, baby!

My 'extra money from petrol subsidy' wish list is as follows:

First and foremost, I would like to see more funds being allocated towards the improvement of access to healthcare and yes, healthcare facilities in our country. Private healthcare is costly in our country. And although many complaints have been lodged against the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK e.g. MRSA bug in particular, I do hope that a similar system would be implemented in Malaysia one day. For this to materialise, we need money, money and money... apart from more manpower and a good long-term blue print.

Secondly, would be for the improvement of our public transport system. Better public transport links. Improvement and a total revamp of the railway system, which in my opinion could be improved and ought to be capitalised on. Faster trains to cut short journey between states. Better railway links in the outskirts and to/from other states. (Not only in Klang Valley). I know it will take ages for the public transport system to rival that in the UK, but I long for the day. I really miss those days where I could travel from Manchester to London solely on public transport alone, from Sale to Birmingham, from Leeds to Banbury, from Manchester to Paris to London to Windsor to Rome and back to Manchester again (yes, planes count as public transport too!).

There are more things towards which I would like to see the extra funds being channeled to.

But the last on my list would be for the provision of more scholarships e.g. JPA. Too much money is being spent on the scholars who are not too eager to return to serve the country upon completion of their studies. Demands for a scholarship are being placed down as if it were their divine right. Yes, some are willing to repay the government in order to 'break the bond' but, they pay very much less. Imagine paying (if I can recall properly) RM200k for a UK medical degree, the government absorbs 2/3 loss. Now again, tell me; why are we suffering from a shortage of doctors?

Now, that's a heavily stripped down version of my 2 cents worth.

Bob, it's gonna cost me more to feed you now... *pats*

-LV-
*I wanna marry a Tauke Minyak! Just kidding!

Food: Claypot Chicken Rice

I am a big fan of Claypot Chicken Rice (only if it's done the right way!) *fussy, fussy, fussy*. And am skeptical about the quality of KL food. Yucky, yucky, yucky...

Honestly, recommendations from my KL friends that "XXX at YYY is good la...", "AAA at BBB is damn nice lo...", "EEE at FFF is delicious man!!!!" have fallen short of my expectations. So, I've learnt not to trust their tastebuds though (disclaimer) there have been a few rare gems here and there... *smirks*

I found a stall selling 31900 (insert name of town) Chee Cheong Fun at Brickfields!!!! How wrong is that!!!! KL folks, don't get conned, 31900 is NOT famous for Chee Cheong Fun! And the best part is, the same stall sells Sarawak Kolo Mee too!!!
(Note to Miss TKL: Jangan kena tipu ah!!!)

So, my humble deduction is that dia sedang jual Kolo Mee dan 31900 CCF versi lanun (aka pirated).

Well, I might give it a try one day, to check the standards. But then, it's weird as the CCF is served with some mysterious brown sauce (think: KFC mashed potato gravy) and we never have our CCFs with that sauce! *Raises eyebrows* I have a feeling that he might be trying to replicate the Ipoh CCF sauce, but then, where are the mushrooms and minced meat?

Speaking of that, I wanna have some Ipoh CCF. (JS, MW: where to find a yummy one in Ipoh?) The stall that I used to go to sudah gulung tikar. In fact, mum met the lady at Kinta City one day, and she's now happily retired with anak cucu...

Anyway, back to the claypot chicken rice aka nasi ayam belanga...

The claypot chicken rice at Busy Corner, Damansara Jaya is yummy! Even better than the one back at the so-called "龙门客站" (Note: Not sure if I got the Chinese characters right. Literal translation: "Dragon Gate Guesthouse" or in Cantonese: "Loong Mun Hak Charn") back at 31900.

I used to patronise this place a fair bit during those sad and miserable KDU days. Now I know what contributed to the 'KDU blubber'! *grins!*

Had lunch there recently with mum and dad, after 4 years! Ah, nostalgic!!!! (Not really to be honest, as I never felt a sense of belonging to KDU. But still, the tasty claypot chicken rice! Syok!) He he... And they too gave their thumbs up to it!

Trust a Perakian when they say it's tasty! And yes, Penangites too! (before I get stoned to death by Penangites and their pride in their local cuisine, which kononnya is creme de la creme!)

-LV-

Mega Mac

Bro took up the 'Mega Mac Challenge' the other day. It's been dubbed as a 'heartattack on a bun' due to the sheer size of the burger itself.

Imagine the calorie content, the amount of salt and fat that comes along with the 3 pieces of bread + 4 meat patties + 2 cheese slices + lettuce + 'special sauce'....

A Big Mac is already filling enough on it's own, and now; a Big Mac with 2 extra beef patties. Do you feel your arteries clogging now?

A Mega Mac in its box, in comparison to bro's index finger...

The gigantic burger; side-by-side with dad's miniscule beef burger. Now, does the beef burger look 'tad pitiful there?

I personally have difficulties finishing my usual 'default order' at McDs - The DoubleCheese McValue meal (usually end up leaving one side of the bun on my tray unless I'm extremely hungry). Thus, I can't imagine how one could finish a Mega Mac!

Me, posing with the giant! It's almost bigger than my face! No, I didn't order that! *Mai siao ah!*

And he managed to finish it! *salute*

He's still alive! No heartattack! *yay!!!*

Madness!

-LV-

The ugliest book cover I've ever seen thus far.

The cheapo cover is just plain ugly! 'Nuff said.

I rest my case...

-LV-

Purple Roses

Roses, oh roses... A pretty bouquet ain't it?

I so love the colour of them!

-LV-

The Pillar of Strength

An interesting observation at one of the shops along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

A steel frame erected to prevent the (presumably) pre-war building from collapsing.

Just like how we'd always need someone to provide us with support during those times of weakness and fragility...

-LV-

The No Holiday Rule

Judicial notice - A fact so notorious and rampant, that it does not warrant any further evidence to prove its truthfulness.
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I've long taken judicial notice of the fact that the Torture Camp has classes during weekends and on public holidays. But this statement from Mr. R during class today takes the cake...

"I know it's the YDPA's birthday next Saturday..."

"But he didn't invite me..."

"So, the class is on..."

Yes, lawyers do say the darnest things. *lols*

-LV-

The Rucksack Dilemma

Update: Oh yes, I had to give the yellow 3o+10 one from Deuter a miss too! It looked good, sunset yellow; something like the colour of Bumblebee in Transformers...

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I (FINALLY) purchased my rucksack 2 days ago. Pick-a-bag at Pertama Complex; Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Was in KL by 8.50am, hence spent quite sometime roaming around the quiet streets of KL early in the morning. It felt funny, KL city, quiet; on a Wednesday morning. Oh well, maybe just this particular street.

A peaceful and quiet Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman; in the morning.

Anyway, the rucksack selection process was PAINFUL! It took me 1.5 hours to choose one that fit me to a tee.

I ventured into the shop, adamant at getting a 40L rucksack (knowing very well, that it would not be adequate for a 5 week expedition). *I know, I know* In fact, was telling SC that I'm adamant that a 20L would be enough for the 5 weeker... Yeah, it would probably be, only if I'm dressed in bikinis and G-strings throughout the expedition; less cloth, save space in rucksack!

Spotted one by Deuter that I liked; purple+white+grey, it looked pretty. *Lols* I know I should put functionality ahead of beauty, but that rucksack stood out from the zillions of rucksack in the shop. Too bad, it was only a 30L one. Too small, hence fail! *sulks*

Tried a couple by Deuter; a 40+10, 45+10, 60L. The 40+10 fit well, hip support fit to a tee, but shoulder straps were a bit too big; but the bag was slightly too high up/long? that it rested midway through my head, hence it didn't feel comfortable. The 45+10 was worse; the hip support did not fit well, plus, only 1/3 of the inner part of the shoulder straps rested on my shoulders; the other 2/3 was left hanging from my shoulders; I looked like a 'knight in shining armour' to a certain extent *grins*. And despite weights being put into the 45+10, there was still a huge gap between the shoulder strap and my shoulders; you could put your whole arm through it. The 60L had badly positioned shoulder straps that cut through my shoulder blades.

Mr. Rucksack, with its many cords and contraptions.

(Now, should I name it??)

Hence, i browsed and broswed and browsed. Left with no other choice from the Deuter range, I had to look at the more 'up-market' ones from Karrimor. I liked the 45L one they had, but kiasu me was afraid I might not be able to fit in my army rations into the meagre 45L rucksack. Hence, that was out. There was another 40L one that was super-uber light, that fit well.

But then, I needed to feed a whole nation with my army ration. Thus, 40L is just too small!!!

Woo hoo! My spanking new lean, mean backpacking machine. Yeah babehhhh.....

Browsed time and again... till the salesgirl suggested the red Cougar 65 from Karrimor. I was hessitant as it appeared huge. By now, I was quite 'paiseh' (English: didn't feel nice) for putting the 2 girls through such mental and physical torture. I know they must have been cursing me for making them take down one bag after another from the display shelf, and transfer the weights from bag A to B to C to B to C and back to bag A again.

I was at the verge of going, "Karrimor, Deuter,Northface, whatever... just get me one that fits!"

Anyway, I agreed to try the Cougar 65. And presto!!! Despite the size, it fit me well! Did a couple of trial runs in the shop with weights, jumped up and down with it, .... Yes, it felt great and this is the bag for me. Hence I grabbed it!

Karrimor; Cougar 65 (Colour: Cinder)

At the cost of RM700 (post-discount). I can't believe that I paid so much for a bag!!!! A bag with the capacity of 65L.

The exact weight of a full rucksack?
Think: LV carrying the weight of a 'pregnant LV' on her back.
(Almost 1.5 times my body weight, should the bag be stuffed to the brim!)

Ah, there goes the bulk of the money from my 'professional begging' last July-September!

I paid for my purchase, thanked the girls for their kind assistance, and off home I went with my new baby!

This is how big it is when empty, I would not want to imagine how enormous, gigantic and huge it would be when its fully stuffed with my 'barang-barangs'!

-LV-

*Rucksack done! Hiking shoes next!!!

When's Jusco having sales?

Moving On

It came 5 years too late...

And I've moved on...

Sorry there!

-LV-
*smiles

Colmar Tropicale: Review

Alright, we paid RM16 to enter...




The place was well-maintained by Berjaya. But, it lacks the 'tourisy atmosphere'. It was pretty quiet for a 'tourist attraction' considering that it is a school holiday.



My favourite place of all was the Japanese Tea Garden. Lush greenery, flowers, fresh air... That's enough to make me happy!



Apart from that, nothing much to shout about...


A nice 5 hour break from the city though...

-LV-

Fanatics???

From left: Bob's Dad, Bob's rear windscreen, Bob

*Lols* I've watched the highlights of the final 4 times (including the match itself).

NOT on purpose, but more because Astro seems to be showing it everytime I click on Channel 812.

No, I'm not crazy, but I need to have the telly on when I'm having my lunch/dinner alone...

-LV-