me blog de putt

Your entire life just flashed before you. Ever had one of those days? (Probably not! Because if you had, you'd probably wouldn't be reading this! Unless you survived...)

Well, it happened to me. I was feeling a bit more adventurous today. So I went trekking near my usual haunt and was surprised to discover a tunnel.

Growing up in dark and damp environments helped reduce my fear of such places, and into the tube I went. No second thoughts about it. Death as a result of adventure beats death by boredom anytime.

Crawling on my hands and feet came naturally for me. Interestingly, there was a dim light at the end of the tunnel. So, the deeper in I went, the brighter it became. Before I realized it, I had already reached the end. I'd estimate I was about twenty-five meters* in to the tunnel.

There were only two ways to go: back or up. It felt like I was at a waterfall. The difference was the water coming down. It felt warm. And smelt funny. I remember an advice passed down from generation to generation: drink only fresh water. Since I didn't know the source, I refrained from even tasting it.  Later, I proved it to be a life-saving advice.

Climbing up was not easy. Water flowed down around me at random. Sometimes it swept me off my feet. Sometimes it splashed directly on my head. Other times it just left me alone.

The higher I climbed, the brighter it became. It was so bright that I was temporarily blinded when I exited the top of the tunnel. When I regained my clear vision, I saw I was in a fairy-tale like world, the kind of world I only heard from our oral history.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a spray of warm water hit me directly. My self-preservation mechanism kicked into gear and I ran and hid behind a large red container. Silence followed for about thirty seconds.

Suddenly, a gust of fowl smelling air blowed to my left. I naturally turned away, but decided to take a quick peek to check out the source of the wind. It was a mistake. This time the life-threatening wind hit me.

I quickly ducked and ran away from there and found refuge under another large red container. As I was trying to catch my breath, two more blows of misty air came in my direction. I held on as best as I could.

Then, I heard a thunder-clap. Before I could figure out what caused that, I was almost flushed away by brief stream of water. As I tried to stand on my feet, it happened again. I knew I had to get away before it was too late.

I braced myself and ran into the open. It was the second mistake I made and turned out to be the most fatal. Waves and waves of water enveloped me. Not only was I having difficulty breathing, I had to fight against being drowned.

I began to slip into unconsciousness. While struggling to remain conscious, I realized I my life now hangs on a thread. I began losing complete control of my body. It's shutting down gradually but much faster than I thought.

I had been told that many of my friends, even relatives, have had similar experiences. Most lost their bodily functions very slowly after breathing in a similar foul smelling air. Only a few lived to tell the tale (depending on their exposure to it).

Death was certain. The difference was whether it was instantaneous**, or delayed with much suffering. It had never occurred to me that I would share the same experiences.

While lying on my back, I felt I was floating on water. Then I felt like I was floating in the air. Everything felt as though spinning around me. Then I hit rock bottom. With a glimpse, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel as when I started my climb upwards.

Now, all I could do was wait. Wait for death to take my life away. I hope it'll quickly to end my suffering. My instinct to survive has kept me alive till now. If only someone were to hear it before I go the way of my ancestors, I can tell them the moral of my story:

Never to go to brightly lit places. Stay in the dark where you live. If not, you will suffer (and hopefully, die!) like I did - after being sprayed with **BCC (Baygon Cockroach Control).

*Assuming the cockcroach was 2 inches long, 1 inch = 1 meter.

** I personally found it to be more effective against cockroaches than other brands. Its effect is more potent and lasts longer. Cockroaches sprayed with other brands appear to be still able to run a marathon compared to a 100m dash when sprayed with BCC. A good friend of mine would testify that she sprayed her bathroom to kill one cockroach only to discover the next morning a few lay dead. If you read the labels, BCC is now Class III (3). It used to be Class II (2) and was (probably still is) the only aerosol spray effective against leeches! Others, including BMC (Baygon Mosquito Control) is Class IV (4).

# posted by deputt : 10:07 PM  0 comments

I've been thinking of that since I woke up this morning (25 Oct 2005) about 6.00am. My first thought was, "Oh, no. Something's not right with me."

"What's not right with you?" you ask.

I feel... queasy? (Is there such a word? What does it really mean?) As you may know, I am not someone who is good with feelings, so let me attempt to describe how I felt the whole day.

I felt like vomiting. I felt dehydrated though I was taking in liquids to reduce, even eliminate, the feeling. I felt my body is not perspiring as it should. I felt like I want to escape from my physical body. I felt like I was not my usual self. When I sit down, I felt like standing up. When I stand up, I felt like walking around. When I walk around, I felt like sitting down.

This reminds me of a friend who shared with me recently of having "premonitions". Whenever she felt "queasy" at work or outside her house, she knows that something negative will happen to the family. Arguments. Accidents. Fights?

Anyway, I decided to try being a Sherlock Holmes. And these are the possible suspects which could have "dunnit":

• Super La La Bak Kut Teh.
  I had this for dinner and woke up with Penang Bak Kut Teh breath. What was worse was that I felt like expelling it from my system upon waking up. Ah, another good word to describe my "queasiness" is "indigestion."
• Hot Chinese Tea.
  Language isn't one of my strongest skills. I wanted to order my usual big cup of tea with milk but the middle-aged Hokkien waiter spoke something I couldn't really understand so I just nodded.
• Jazz Instant 3-in-1 Coffee.
  This was provided on a complimentary basis. Since I didn't have any on the first night (23 Oct), I decided to take two before I slept.
• Boiled Tap Water.
  I didn't have extra water for the coffee so I decided to boil the water sourced from the bathroom's tap. I drank this boiled water not only with the coffee but as normal drinking water.
• Smokey Fragrance.
  I suspect one of the staff may be having his regular puff in the hotel's central air-conditioning room. How else can I explain the secondary smoke I'm inhaling to the detriment of my physical health?
• Interview in KL.
  It's common knowledge and experience that many people may have butterflies in their stomach before a major event they're especially involved in. So, maybe subconsciously I'm reacting to my upcoming interview on 27 Oct?
• Medication.
  I'm on a regular dose of 3 types of pill to maintain my health: Shaklee's Vitamin C, Gemfibrozil, and Lovastatin. The first has been of great help to reduce and even repel common illnesses like the cold and cough. The second is to inhibit over-production of triglycerides in my bloodstream. Theblast is for cholestrol. I think. Maybe my body just decided that enough is enough and rebelled?
• Stress.
  No furthermore comment necessary, right?
• Radiation.
  From the notebook computer screen when preparing for the workshops. From the television which I tried with some success to tune. From the earth, outerspace, yada, yada...

Well, which of the above is the most likely culprit (or culprits)? I think it's the tap water because my two colleague who also had BKT are still ok. It could also be the coffee which tasted like kopiko.

Lesson learnt? Spare no expense when it comes to basic necessities like drinking water. And don't be greedy and drink (and eat) all the complimentaries.

Practicing self-healing and self-discipline helps. Like drinking lots of clean, safe water. Coconut drink helps. So does 100Plus. Avoid spicy and oily food. (This reminds me that a few days ago, my stomach was quite weak. It couldn't properly process curry. Oily food I can understand because my mum and I very little oil and salt in our cooking. But spicy food? My mouth can handle but unfortunately my stomach can't.)

So, what dunnit? I really don't know. I could only speculate. I think the better way to look at it is how to avoid getting into a similar compromising situation. Prevention is better than cure. Enough said. I think...

# posted by deputt : 10:26 PM  0 comments

You are hereby advised to exercise your own discretion in reading the contents of my entire blog (and in actual fact, everything else available online in cyberspace!) I will not be held responsible for any action, inaction, reaction, whatever-tion as a result of you "being" here in my blog (or any other site, whether related or not related, to me). Use your discretion, I repeat, USE YOUR DISCRETION!

# posted by deputt : 9:27 PM  0 comments

Be Fore-Warned! This entry may kill some of your tastebuds (or something else, or worst, somebody)!

Yes. I was just admitted to the Ipoh hospital. But please do not be overly worried nor panic. I'm sure everything will turn out all right. Here's why I'm absolutely sure I'll be ok:

It's just that I have not been able to go to sleep or take my usual naps properly the past two days. Whenever it was time to sleep or take a nap, my entire being would just freeze up. My eyes and mouth would be wide open but I would not be conscious of what is happening. After a short* while, I would be relaxed and would have no recollection of what had just happened. It was as though nothing had really happened. I would then wake up in my usual way and behave as I usually do until it's that time again - to sleep or take a nap.

The hospital attendant who attended to me says that I will need to be transferred to the KL branch for detailed observation and diagnosis. I understand that they would only transfer me over after the KL administrative staff over there has confirmed the available date and time of admission with the local staff. They informed me that it would usually take a few days before my admission is confirmed. Meanwhile I'll be happily (and possibly very lonesomely) stuck here in Ipoh.

Fear not! For I'm used to situations like this as I have be brought as such - a long** ranger.

I was also told by the attendant to exercise great patience because the entire process from admission to being discharge plus interstate transfer would on the average only take about one month. However, it should be quicker to solve the mystery of a case like mine, especially if there were other similar if not the same case as mine. come to think of it, the attendant did not assure me whether there were other similar cases. He did however remind me that it is the current practice to diagnose, and discharge within thirty days. In fact, they guarantee they will come up with a proper diagnosis of my situation within fourteen days.

Well, I do hope that they will be true to their word. Especially so when I'm covered by insurance. As long as it was not my fault or due to negligence, I need not pay a single cent for any treatment rendered.

I really do hope that I can be cured or at least be discharged in time for the Scripture Union Chinese Tweens Camp from 21-24 November this year to fulfill my obligations and perform my assigned duties. If not, then who else will be able to replace me? There is just no one else to the best of my knowledge as capable as I am to capture the essence of the moment. After all, I am the one and only in all creation who was designed specifically for this purpose. I am Canon Powershot S2 IS ;p

*about 18 seconds

** 48x zoom (12x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom)

Heh heh, I thought it'll quite amusing to write something like this. Since I've taken quite some time and effort to write it, why keep it to myself? I should share it with the whole world! And that's what I just did :D

I recall a similar article printed in the BeritaSU a few years back which caused ruckus brought about by some "humour-less" readers. If you haven't read it (it may just have been the catchy header, not article), guess which CURRENT SU staff wrote it? It's definitely not me! I'm an expired staff, ok! Special prize for the first correct guess via email to ...[at]...[dot]...[dot]... (email deleted to protect privacy of receiver).

I'm sure you know what to with the [at] and [dot]. If not, definitely you won't win any prize. Not that there's any prize to give away in the first place :p

# posted by deputt : 8:59 PM  1 comments

Well, who's that man who thinks He's a prophet?
Well, I wonder if He's got something up His sleeve
Where's He from? Who is His daddy?
There's rumors He even thinks Himself a king
Of a kingdom of paupers, simpletons and rogues
The whores all seem to love Him
And the drunks propose a toast

And they say, "Surely God is with us.
Well, surely God is with us."
They say, "Surely God is with us today!"

Who's that man who says He's a preacher?
Well, He must be, He's disturbing all our peace
Where's He get off, and what is He hiding
And every word He says those fools believe
Who could move a mountain
Who would love their enemy
Who could rejoice in pain
And turn the other cheek

And still say, "Surely God is with us,
Well, surely God is with us,"
Who'll say, "Surely God is with us today, today!"

They say, "Surely God is with us
Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us"

"Blessed are the poor in spirit
Heaven belongs to them
Blessed are those who make peace
They are God's children
I Am the Bread of Life, and the Way"
You hear that Man, believe what He says!

Tell me, who's that Man, they made Him a prisoner
They tortured Him and nailed Him to a tree
Well if He's so bad, who did He threaten?
Did He deserve to die between two thieves?
See the scars and touch His wounds
He's risen flesh and bone
Now the sinners have become the saints
And the lost have all come home

And they say, "Surely God is with us (Surely God is with us)
Well, surely God is with us,"
They say, "Surely God is with us today!" (Today!)
They say, "Surely God is with us
Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us today"

Title: Surely God is With Us | Artist: Rich Mullins | Album: The Jesus Demo / Record | Words & Music: Mark Robertson and Beaker

# posted by deputt : 3:45 PM  0 comments