Lost a good friend

I lost a good friend today. He died of a heart attack in his sleep. According to his family, he complained of chest pain earlier but did not seek medical treatment. He worked long hours and smoked heavily.

I was so utterly shocked when I heard the news. Only last weekend I had just smsed him wishing him a happy birthday as he turned 52 and he had called me to thank me. Every since i heard the news i have been so upset. And now I have just returned from his home after having paid him my last respect.

I have only known him for about 2 years and in that span of time I have experienced so wonderful memories and encountered new exposures in life. I will always be thankful for that.

This just goes to show how fragile life is and we may not open of eyes no to see the next day. Life should be cherished and valued. It is also important to be surrounded by loved ones.

May his soul rest in peace.

Publication in Tamil

A blogger left a comment asking whether I am aware of any publications in Tamil on breast cancer. I do not know of any so, with a with a quick search I came across these websites:

http://www.koodal.com/health/interview_guide.asp?id=390&title=breast-cancer

http://anuratha.blogspot.com/

http://www.cancerinfoindia.org/index.html

http://www.kkh.com.sg/BreastTalk/theatre.htm

http://sbcf.blogspot.com/2007/10/drkshantha-breast-cancer-foundation.html

Well Ram, I hope the above will be of some help and wishing your sister -in- law a speedy recovery.

Abnormality

I have been experiencing discomfort on my right breast for the last 2 months. As my visit to the radiologist was coming up I thought I might as wait till then. Even when I was on my company’s trip to Langkawi I was really uncomfortable. Because I am just sick and tired of going to see the doctor as it can be nerve-wracking expedition, I just want to wait for the appointment date.

So last week I had my mammography done followed by ultrasound. The radiologist found the calcification that was 6 months ago on my right breast. After much thought she decided that she wanted a biopsy done just to be sure about the fluid filled abnormality.

So on 4th of February I will get the biopsy done. I asked the radiologist and she said it is not a worrying condition but she just wanted to make sure. Yestersday was my appointment in the Breast Clinic. They would have to wait for the biopsy to be done before proceeding further.

This year started with lots of issues on my mind including the health condition, I have no choice to cheer up and see how best to deal with them

Family Celebrations

The last weekend of 2007 and the first weekend of 2008 were filled with gaiety, family bonding and celebrations.

Just before the year ended my cousin sisters from America threw a surprise bash for their parents on the occasion of my aunt and uncle’s 40th wedding anniversary is style at the Carcosa Seri Negara, a midst a colonial landscape. Joining merriment were family members and very close friends.

My cousin sisters and their families produced a book capturing the significant journey of their parents from India, subsequent marriage in Kuala Lumpur, their travels and their final home in Washington. It was really great to see black and white photos of yonder years…the growing up years… up to present moment. It brought back memories… I, of course looked very slim…so many years ago…ah…ah! Lots of thought and effort must have been put in by all of them in producing the book and the end product was simple breathtaking.

My cousin’s eldest 8 year old son gave a welcoming speech for his grandparents which he proudly wrote himself, portraying images of young blood in the family trees.

It was really great of my cousin sisters to celebrate this joyous occasion, as my motto is all occasions must be celebrated in a big or small scale, family moments with young and old must be cherished.

The second function was spent in Singapore. My granduncle celebrated his 80^th birthday or Sathabhishekam. My family including my brothers and their families joined this grand gala. My granduncle and grandaunt have in fact seen their 3rd generation as they now have 2 great grand children, besides 6 grandchildren. So there were immediate families, extended families, distant relatives, friends, about 600 people gracing this religious celebration in the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Singapore with traditional pomp and flair.

The function consisted of two parts, which on the Saturday night, a pooja (prayer) was held and on Sunday morning there was a wedding ceremony where my granduncle and grandaunt renewed their matrimonial vows. Both bride and bridegroom, looked energetic, radiant and had an air of accomplishment. Yap! It not every other day people get a chance to celebrate their 80^th birthday and renew their marriage vows at that age…it was a wonderful sight to watch and to record in our memories.

Pictures from Medan Trip

Finally i had to time to post some pictures i took at Medan & Lake Toba. One of my new year's resolution is to become more activite at blogging...ha..ha!Here are the pictures.

I was amazed to see a moden Shopping Complex at Medan

The only 4 of us from the club at the convention's Ulos Nite

Parames, Gina,Chuan , Me & Ratnam

Guests and organisation committee at the Ulos Nihe

Ladies Performing at the Award Ceremony

Cultural Performance

Gina & Me at the Award Ceremony

Entrance to the Ambarita Historical Site

Village of Tomok-Small square line with Batak houses

Ambarita Historic Site-An ancinet village council

Tomb-King's Coffin-The sarcophagus contains the body of Raja Sidabutar, the chief of the first tribe to migrate to the area

Wooden Carving

View of Lake Toba

View of lake Toba

Me at the Niaga International Hotel

Flower Signboards which are used every where as a notice board