Dry Taps Again !

We live in a beautiful island in Malaysia. Our main water source is from Sungai Muda. Recantly in 2023, we had 2 major water pipe burst that caused water crisis to almost the whole of Penang. At that time MS had come back from UK for holidays and Sofi was also on break. Having this two around was a blessings. They helped to carry water and fill up the water tanks upstairs. I have one 80 Gallon water container in my balcony. We store water inside here for emergency. Since it had been awhile since we had any water crisis, this water had become "stale"and cause itchiness, if we bathe with it. So now we had the tedious job of transfering this water to toilet tanks and the rest for washing and watering plants. Since the pressure was very low, we only had a little water coming from the hose in the porch. MS and Sofi, helped to transfer water from the porch to the balcony by tying a bucket to a rope and pulling it up. They managed to fill the entire 80 gallon water container. Meanwhile Shak had water still in her house since her condominium tank was large and had enough water for up 3 days.

Now in January 2024, we had another burst pipe in Sungai Perai. Water was cut without any notice and 80% of our island was left without any water. Some of us still had the water we collected in December for another water disruption. But most of my neighbours had discarded the water  were left with no or very little water in the water tanks in our houses. This time around, MS and Sofi were not around. Ak had to carry the water to fill up all the pails in the house. The water was only trickling in the porch. So we had to catch the water and transfer to other parts of the house. I helped filling pots with water for the kitchen use. 

So the Water Supply Corporation of my island announced that there will upgrading works for the burst water pipe.The old  underwater pipeline is incurring a leak. This old pipelines will be decommisioned and replaced with new pipes. Thus we have to brace for another major water disruption in 2 weeks. In the meantime, they will try to patch up the leaking pipe and supply water  to all the disrupted area. My neighbour, who has a large family decided to invest in a huge water tank placed outside his house. This attracted so many other neighbours to come and have a look at this shining marvel. My neighbour was so proud of his investment and even tried to influence Ak to purchase one. Of course his sister is selling the motor and she will give us a good price, he said. I put my foot down and told Ak absolutely no tank sitting in our porch . We noticed the pump and motor for this water tank, makes a very irritating noise. I even heard the noise in the middle of the night. So the next day when Ak was chatting wih the neighbour, he brought up the subject of the noise. Now this neighbour admits he didn't know about the noise before buying it. Unfortunately there is nothing he can do about it. So for now we have to adjust living in our house with this irritating noise until my neighbour decides to shut it off.

In the meantime, we are continously storing water and using water sparingly. Clothes cannot be washed at home because the water pressure is so low, we cannot turn on the washing machine. For now we have send our clothes to the laundry. I also cooked a few meals and freeze them. It is not safe to eat out when almost 80% of the island will be out of water. Of course I am grateful that we at least have some water and a roof over head during this crisis. I cannot imagine how life is in Gaza where water is deliberately shut down to torture the civilians. I feel so privileged when I turn on the pipe at home to see water flowing. We have to accept a little difficulties in life and stop complaining too much. What we are going through is not even an ounce compared to the people of Gaza. Anyway, I pray for the safety of the divers who are doing the dangerous job of going underwater to address the leak. 

The Hospital Visit

Today is the dreaded day! I have my routine appointment to see my doctor every 4 months. Usually our day starts after morning prayers. We talked to MS than straight away to shower and get ready. Then we had our breakfast and headed to the hospital. For the first time in so many years, we got to see the doctor DR. O as soon as we arrived at the hospital. This particular doctor I have been seeing her for the past 15 years. Lately she talks to me very bluntly and I might add a little rudely too. Anyways the consultation took a few minutes and this time she recomended for me to take medication for my slight elevated sugar, I politely declined and told her I will try and modify my diet and exercise before considering her suggestion. 

This is the kind of doctors I would like to avoid. They think everything can be corrected by popping pills. No advice on natural path, diet control or supplement intake. Unfortunately I am too tired to bring my entire history and build a rapport with a new doctor. For now I am stuck with this one. Same goes to my dentist. You see this dentist Dr. A that I have been visiting for the last 15 years, does not have a good reputation. She is clumsy and her charges are high. But.... she talks well, gentle and the important thing is she listens to me. I am absolutely terrified of dentists. She is a very sisterly kind of dentist and will not force me to go through procedures that I am not comfortable with. Of course my children and Ak are not happy. But then, who is the patient? I ask them. So for now, I am definitely not changing dentist. I have an appointment to fix 3!!! crowns with her in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck. I hope I am going to keep this appointment. 

Happy 2024

 When new year dawns upon us, the phrase a new beginning is always used. New beginning according to Google is to allow yourself to accept challenges that bring good things to you. This past 4 years of my life had been the most challenging one. from the onset of covid, I had several health issues that kept me off my  daily routine. There was a point when I even forgot what a normal day I used to have. We don't notice some of these blessings until we loose them. As time goes on, I accepted these challenges and put my faith in Allah swt, that what I am going through is going to strengthen me. 

Good health is one of the biggest blessings people take for granted. No matter how much money one has, or how successful the person is, as soon as they are faced with health issues, everything else take a backseat. Good health is not only the absence of disease, it also means your mental and social well being. Maybe that is why I had encouraged my children to study medicine, when they showed an interest in this field. Now my son, MS is a qualified doctor and doing his GP training. Lil Sofi, isnt little anymore. This young lady is in her final year as a medical student. 

If I could turn back the clock, I certainly will advice them to choose another field like their big sister who is an accountant. I noticed my son MS, who used to be a jovial light hearted teenager, became a very serious and reserved young man since he became a doctor. Sofi on the other and who was already a serious  person has become so reclusive. I find myself asking them "where is your smile? Have you lost it?' Maybe it is not the job, maybe it does not happen to everyone. But it happened to my children. I want them back as how they were, growing up. Nobody talks about the social well being and mental health of medical students and junior doctors.They are meant to be able to handle everything that is put on their plate. I totally disagree. As a mother of 2 children who studied and studying to be doctors, I see how much work, time and sacrifices they put into their daily life. Everyday is studying, every single day for 5 years and beyond. Beyond this 5 years, days will still be as challenging or proberbly more challenging. We just need to put our faith in the Almighty because He said in the Quran Al Kareem,  " Allah does not obligate anyone beyoind his capacity" 2:286. With that I am signing of for now, Hopefully I get back my interest to write on my blog again.