بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Sunday, January 03, 2021

i work with kids because adults are mostly idiots

Got 2 COVID stage 2 kids cared by their COVID stage 3 mom in our ward and the mother was not doing as well as we hope, so I called up the kids father who is a COVID stage 1 in a quarantine center, asking if he could come take care of the kids prior to us sending out their mom.

"Macam tak boleh doktor."

"Kenapa ya encik?"

"Saya tak selesa kalau jaga di Likas. Terlalu sejuk."

... I have never. Been. So. TRIGGERED. IN. MY. ENTIRE. LIFE!!!!!!!

There I was shivering in my three layers of clothing including a thermal innerwear I bought specifically for working in the effing cold ward, sleeping with two blankets on and I NEVER once complained of it nor refused a night shift because of comfort reason. And I'm the person who will get cold-induced bronchospasm.

I already explained to this egg that his wife condition wasn't blooming and we need to get her to the adult side and he still only cared of HIS comfort? Oh I almost said "fuck you brainless sperm donor why am I the one with an ounce of care for your wife and your kids?"

But I remained seated and told him "encik patut utamakan kesihatan isteri dan anak-anak encik lebih daripada keselesaan encik sendiri" an octave higher. I told him to think and we would call him back cm. I ran out of fuck to talk with that shit.


Charlene was looking at me while doing her night review and heard all of my almost-shouting. She said "biasanya kalau kes begini I will tell the husband 'kalau isteri encik mati pun encik juga kena jaga anak, so encik nak jaga anak encik sekarang atau tunggu isteri encik mati dulu?'"

Girl so savage. I wouldn't want to wish that on the wife, but I very much think the husband deserved a painful death. I pitied his wife so badly. Before I gave the fucker a call I called his wife asking for caretaker replacement candidate and she automatically answered me "no one". No wonder. Oh lady I pity you, why are you married to this shit. 

Friday, January 01, 2021

hello 2021

Hello 2021. It's me, Atiqah. I heard fireworks went off at 11pm last night but I was too spent so I slept longer than usual.

2020 was.. I don't know. My biggest achievement was my GS training. Figuring I can leave frozen food in the Kenwood grill and it'd be cooked by the time I finish showering. The joy of birding. The quote "everything is an achievement". 

Also figuring I'm suicidal in the form of recklessly overworking. 

I found this today while messaging a friend I have long time not see and I guess 2020 was basically just me an idiot. 

I replied Shasha's message the day after, and it was my Day 4 of admission. 

I was an idiot. Still am an idiot. Idiot who wouldn't even get out of bed this morning. I had to persuade myself it's okay even if you don't want to shower, let's just put on some pants first. 

My 2021 resolution is to be happy. Let's try that first, okay? We'll drop the "be proud of yourself" for the time being, I just want you to be happy first. 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

budak lawan tidur

Postnight. Apsal admission COVID ni cam haram? Oh yeah kes melambung, no wonder. Wanna tell you guys to stay safe at home but heck do whatever you want, who cares. It's you and your family infected, it's you and your family quarantined, it's you and your family suffering and probably dying. 

And it's us overworking and suffering and suicidal but who cares. 

I need to sleep but I can't sleep now that it's morning. Sort of hungry but what is food. I should sleep I effing only slept 30 minutes last night. The world is too bleak skied to do anything else but I don't know I feel like I should have McDonalds first but I should also sleep. I'm in front of the house but I'm in the car. I should go inside and sleep. 

Argh Atiqah just die already. 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

pali always calls me noob

Overheard the surgical registrar saying
"naik ambulance tu nanti baik2 tau"

And I was thinking
wah abang so prihatin sekarang hujan dia cakna kebajikan driver dan pesakit, such a kind person I'm so proud of him

Later he told me his patient was a leaking AAA
 
Oh. Ohhhhh.

Friday, December 25, 2020

today again I met pali dearest

"Miss Aini kata kau dan Kumaran dah exhausted. Atiqah kau penat ke."

I was clerking patient in ED at almost 7pm when Vebster called me, telling that Ms Aini asked him to cover my oncall tomorrow but he was in Ranau for family matter. 

I stared at Pali's back and thought of how I worked the whole week with two oncalls as my liver failed.

"Aku bukan jenis yang mengaku..." I muttered.

"Apa dia? Atau aku oncall Ahad je. Ganti Kumaran."

"Ya bagus kau ganti Kumaran. Dia lagi penat dari aku."

So yeah. I'm postcall today but I'm covering for oncall today. And tomorrow I'm oncall again.

I don't know. Am I tired? I've had worse. 

Today Pali texted me asking for a spare scrub because he was jogging when it rained and he needed to see patient in ED. I was more than happy, I even offered him our oncall room should he need to shower. Heck I just told Miss Doon that I become sooooo excited at even a shadow of Pali. 

So I'm sort of recharged. Then Pali left and I get to say bye. I wish I get to hang out more with him.

Anyway. I guess I'll never admit out loud I'm tired. My body will just collapse. Because in my mind all of us are tired. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

a recurring theme

Always the same; two guys in a friendship.

Will and Hannibal
Cap and Bucky
Jiyong and Seungri
Brett and Eddy


Thursday, December 10, 2020

tissot le locle

What are you afraid of
Rejection? Why would you be afraid of it
It's not like we've never failed before

Actually we've never failed until we failed APLS and MRCS

Yeah breezed through school. It's a curse
So? 
Whats stopping you
So what if you fail
What are you going to lose
Your ego? Self esteem? Those are shits if they're stopping you 
Money doesn't count
I dont give shit about money
See I bought you a watch. I didn't regret paying for it. Maybe a bit regretting on the design choice but hey

Dad said to focus on just one thing and we'll be fine
He said we've always done well in school so we should do well too 

But idk
I dont even know

You want out but you didn't even submit your transfer request 
You didn't even enquire on your UD48 atatus

You want to go out but you're always in your room
Even when it's pretty outside
You'll be staring at the sky saying it's pretty

You're lonely but you don't want company
We should get a cat

Is this just a phase
It will pass
It has to pass
I'm tired of this
I don't want to live but I don't want to die either, it's a sin

You need to hurry find peace with yourself 

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

oncall today i met pali dearest

Masuk ED and saw this figure dari tepi, looks like Pali but macam kurus, is it Pali oh please let it be Paliiiiiiii. 

It is Paliiiii! "Hai abang."

"Pali kau dah kurus" was my first statement. And then I took a picture while he typed in his review. 

"Kau AOR discharge UR mana pulak ni" style di Lahad Datu. And after that I tanya his khabar. And then I had to go don so I bid farewell. 

I really maintained my cool. Pali has always been sort of segan with me and I've only always been in his presence when the other guys are around. 

First time we went for sate and he was in the passenger seat alone while the 3 of us went into the shop. I went back into my car to simpan barang and almost immediately Pali ciao from his seat, like he wouldn't be in a closed space alone with me. I blinked. Did felt a bit more respect for him. 

So that's why I was surprised when he ajak me makan last week but I was in the middle of the forest and God have I ever regretted going merayap like that day. Maybe it was ajak-ajak ayam but anyhow I miss him and every fond memory of Lahad Datu triggered by the mere mention of him. 

Heck I was happy. Inside be like Brett when he met Hilary Hahn.

Monday, November 30, 2020

twoset

I should write how my day went, because it clears my mind. But instead I've been watching Twoset although it's a jab at my current situation. 

So. Let's begin. 

It started with a week off after 4 EOD oncalls. I had a chill week, getting to bed early, waking up early for solitude in nature, then come back for breakfast. I've always had toast with scrambled eggs and sometimes sausages, but one time I was so hungry after going to Inobong I straight up queued at McDonald's. Then maybe I'll hang out with Hamizah or Hanan, and there was a day picnic in the rain in Kiulu with Kak Dilah cooking up an awesome tomyam soup pasta. Man was I impressed at her camping cooking game. 

This week also I've discovered Twoset Violin and was instantly gravitated to Brett. Eddy is the more charming person but Brett, though he looks dead inside, awkwardly shy sometimes, he felt more comforting to me. They're lucky they have each other. 

Or is it that I feel like a Brett and wants an Eddy in my life? Suspicious. 

I saw a crested serpent eagle the other day flying solo, and it occurred to me that Brahminy kite is the least of my favourite sightings because they're always in a pair. 

Whereas here I am. Why am I here?

On the days that I was alone, I remembered the long drives I took. Soothing classical music playing or the random K-Pop stuck in my head, or just the window down wind blowing in the melodious bird calls. I would be admiring how secluded and cool the green forest seemed, how the dense foliage will hide any hanging bodies.. 

What a good place to die at. So calm. 

We should take a Grab so that no one will notice the car is around. 

Yeah, keep the car safe. Hakim can use it. 

Whatever way we go, we should go silently and so so quietly. Pick the least troublesome way to die. 

Isn't it easier if a tree fall down on us or a flyover drop or something. 

It continued on as I rested on my bed, staring at the ceiling fan above. 

Or if the fan fall down on us. A real bloodwork though. 

It's okay to get hurt and die, but imagine a head injury and also intraabd injury? Will we forget the past one year in Lahad Datu? Wouldn't it suck if Pali comes to visit and we forgot who he is? 

To the point that I went lounge clothes shopping for everyone at home to express that I love them regardless what I end up doing. I.. I don't know. Maybe that will the last they hear of me. I remembered planning to write a note inside 

I love you all

and debated over why isn't it

Ika sayang semua

instead but hey, I converse fully in English with Haru so that's a given. 

But then I posted the parcel out immediately after buying them and I forgot about the note. 

It happened many separate times, latest when I was on a walk yesterday at dusk at Sg Darus greenway. Which was my last outing before the rain poured that night and further mellowed my mood. 

Enough of this lamentable loneliness. I decided that today I would wake up for prayers, make breakfast but leave them heated in the grill, go for a walk and watch the birds, come back reheat the breakfast while jumping into the shower, eat and go to work. Start out bright, have a good day. Think of enjoying life. Sounded like a good plan, aye? 

Except I couldn't sleep until almost 1am. Imagine falling asleep easily past 6 days and tomorrow we're working and shit can the anxiety stop already? Woke up at 5am thinking why the hell am I doing this, what's the point, can we just go to sleep. I dragged myself down to the common washroom where I met Kak Dilah downstairs preparing to go jogging. She told me her car's battery was out so I asked her what time should we carpool. She said any time I'm heading out. I decided on 7.30am and then I went back upstairs, prayed and straight back to bed. 

I had only coffee this morning. 

We talked in the car. She told me she's decided to leave by the end of the year, late January at least. That us housemates should up and leave by next year. Enough is enough. 

Parked the car at the hospital and as we walked I asked her how did she maintained her momentum. I told her I'm demotivated. I told her how content I was waking up early last week and how I made morning plans to cheer myself up in the prospect of working today, only to have it crushed down by the weight of my high functioning depression, if that is the thing I'm going through now. 

How I am mostly alone (I couldn't tell her I didn't want to burden people with my company) and only with people when they invite me or ask me out. How dangerous my thoughts were when I'm alone. 

How I wanted to leave Likas because I've build walls to protect myself from being hurt again, although the triggers are gone I still associate Likas with hurt. How I used to go to work because Mr Mughni was around and afterwards because Luqman was around, that they were "my crutch" and I quietly fed on their mere presence. And how I now felt lonely in a team and it sucks on my will to live. 

She listened quietly. Subconsciously I might have chose the limited time we had from the parking lot to thumbing in to disembarking at our respective floor to breach this topic. She told me I shouldn't be alone with my thoughts. 

I got to ward for rounds. OT called for a case and I went in alone for two cases. In between I went to the PSICU to hand in my post op notes and met up with the team. I remember stuttering a bit in front of Miss Haz. 

Like, why? 

I quickly excused myself to go in for the second case. I was done by 11am and I went down to clinic to discuss a peripheral case face to face with Miss Haz. Much easier. 

There were Meryem, Naveena, Mr Fadli and Ms Aini there. I discussed the case. They were cutting cake for Fadli's birthday. There were also lunch. I was the first to help to the heavy meal (I was starving, imagine used to breakfast past 6 days and suddenly only a cuppa this AM) and I sat on my own in a darkened stall. 

I wondered why was I alone. Room 1 had Fadli in it that's why I didn't eat there when I chose my stall. I finished up and saw Room 1 had Naveena and Meryem, Room 3 was Ms Haz and Ms Aini, and Fadli was alone at the back. 

Ah yeah. Logic. 

I did my SKT and then I went upstairs to pray. Met Huwaina and Ulfah. Hamizah washed my telekung and when I opened the bag, there was a waft of softener scent and a full bar of Snickers. 

Hamizah is a sweet thoughtful person. And here I am a self centered person struggling with her sanity. What a life. 

I prayed first because Huwaina wanted to borrow my telekung. She was on COVID rotation and she asked me to help buy her coffee. I went down to buy both of them coffee while they prayed and later departed. I went back to my ward and we had our PM round. 

PM round done. It was 4pm and I could go back now but I decided to settle my LNPT because it was too sacrilegious to do work at home. At 5pm I waited for the elevator and suddenly a voice called out my name. 

It was Chief Kumaran. He told me to wait one minute. So I did. He went inside the ward and came back with his bags he left after his postcall. And he gave me three bottles of expensive looking coffee. He bought them at Tong Hing because the review was good, but he's not a fan of coffee if it's not hot. 

One for me, he said. And the chocolate for Ms Hazlina, he said. And the other one for whoever, he said. He already gave one to Ms Aini. 

I wondered if he gave to the other MOs, but I didn't ask him that. I once got straightened by him because I was sassy and I have since know to be respectful because he is experienced more than me by at least 10 years, he deserves at least that. And when you do that, he shows the good side of having a senior care for a junior. 

Like this. Expensive coffee. I'm gonna have this tomorrow morning. 

We talked until we thumbed out and went our ways. I realised I could talk to him and him with me within the short moments we have. Probably we're both old shits who are comfortable with old friends presence. I appreciated our exchanges. 

I picked up Kak Dilah and we picked up dinner to have it together with Ufairah at home. On the way to the restaurant my car did a jerky movement every time I hit the gas. Urm what? Spark plugs? Let's not be a gearbox issue please. We Googled and Kak Dilah called her brother while I texted Fitri and yeah nvm this has to wait. I love you but I'm busy working for next three weeks I don't have time to send you to the garage unless you're leaking oil. Please hang in there? 

It didn't jerk as much from the restaurant but when we were leaving, a mutt came up and barked as hell at the hood. Especially at the left side of the front. He followed us barking as hell and I was cautious because I was afraid he'll run up front and I hit him. I wondered out loud if he smelled danger from the hood and it was a warning to save us? 

"It's not a good omen with the jerking and then the barking. Oh well."

Life goes on. You die when it's time. We drove slowly back and dinner was uneventful. We talked about work, I mostly listened. 

I'm full and should go pray Isya now that I've got this out of my system. 

Tomorrow I'm oncall and this week we have one major OT per day lining up not including the emergency ones. What a festive with two MOs doing EOD calls. 

Friday, November 13, 2020

4d3n kk kb kudat km sdk kundasang kk

First day period today so I was extra snappy. On the drive to RDC I apologised to Luqman for being snappy yesterday and in advance anticipating I'll be irritable and as he put it "emotionally handicapped" today.

He said he didn't realise nor care that I was snappy yesterday. I told him I apologised for my sake. Meaning for me to feel better about myself disillusioned that I'm a good person. He said he is good at reading people so I asked him what he read about me. He wouldn't say. Whateve idiot. 

Anyhow snippets from the drive today. I was speeding and cleared 240 km in 3.5 hours, plus pre Ranau was downpouring so I had to go 60km/h. Sandakan to Checkpoint was 30 minutes, CP to Sapi Nangoh was 30, Sapi to Telupid another 30. I tolerated his slow pop music for the first 2.5 hour of the drive but it was raining and I was getting more tired. 

Don't you have anything more upbeat?
I listen to trance music only when I'm in a trance. What do you want? 
Whatever as long as upbeat. Ko-
I don't listen to Korean. 
Fine whatever upbeat then. 
I chose something mainstream. 
What the. Ariana Grande of all thing?
I don't listen to this, this is mainstream. 
Ahh play Love Scenario please. Just give me this one. It's already playing in my head. 
Love Scenario... iKON is it? 
Yeah that one. 

Atiqah quietly singing to Love Scenario with subtle shoulder move while manoeuvring Old Man. 

---

I told him the dream I had on the night before we departed. I was driving the Old Man along a hilly road, winding and steep and we swerved down into the river in the valley. 

Did we survive?
We did, though it was a long drop. 
That's why it's a dream. 
The Old Man didn't though. I remember being busy finding a replacement car. 
Between you or the Old Man dead, I'd rather you die. 
... That's good to know. I laughed but I did feel a bit hurt. And for a second there I thought maybe it's better should I die too. Just for a second. 
I just need to bury you. For the Old Man I'd have to fix it and I don't have the cash for it. 

---

We had a clear Akinabalu with a length of cloud underneath it and the orangey sunset hue. I was excited.

Get a picture now please! 
Why should I?
Take a picture Luqmannn. I was driving along a hill road and trying to take a picture and this bastard not helping. I'm going to endanger me- us! 
It's just a mountain. 
It's a mountain yeah but it's not just a mountain!
You're taking this too seriously. 
Take it laaa dude you're not a good henchman. 
Fine. I'm doing this just to stop you nagging. 
Thanks. I told you I'll be snappy today. 
He struggled. Fuck it I'm just going to enjoy the view. 

After a few seconds. 

It really is majestic. 
It is! I've been driving here many times but I've never get this orange sky with clear Aki post rain. 
It's just a view. 
It's not just a view! 


Tuesday, November 10, 2020

friends dont let friends get into trouble alone

Luqman suggested to go to Kota Belud. I don't mind.

Then on the way back he said to pack for up to 3D2N and elaborated that the plan was to explore KB, then up to Kudat to meet a friend, then to Tongod to explore heart of Sabah, and then Sandakan. 

My only concern was how to get through the roadblocks. I detest lying. 

"I've nothing to lose. Except maybe thousand ringgit. But I need a wingman. I can't drive all alone in case of car trouble. If you're chickening out, you have the night to think."

I snorted. "That's a good choice of word." 


Saturday, November 07, 2020

one day you'll be okay and until then

Luqman said "After this you can go on trips with Meryem" our junior colleague. Probably in preparation to him leaving for home, probably making sure I have friends. 

He said this before and I scoffed in respond. This time I just turn the other way and looked out of the window. 

I don't want to go on trips with any of my Likas colleagues. I just don't want to.

Before saying that he asked me when am I planning to leave Sabah. I chuckled at my demise. "I wanted to leave after MedEx," I told him. "Get it over with. But that was when MedEx was in October. And then it was postponed to November."

"And now January. So you'll be leaving next year."

"I'll have to see by next month how," I meant how am I coping without friends with me. "Maybe it'd be sooner than that."

bro can he writes... i feel like trash. yup this blog is trash.

I penned a personal anecdote extolling the old man.

Hitherto, the reckoning of having to leave prematurely due to the current pandemic never ceased to linger. Its inevitable and I have to come to terms with reality. 

November marked the end of a memorable 5 months in enchanting state of Sabah. She is like a graceful lady and I have to admit I fell for her demeanour. 

Time, the essence of the remarkable solitude and fortitude with mother nature was spent with great satisfaction. Never have I imagined that I was bestowed with the privilege of time to trot around in a rugged, sturdy 4 wheel machine, manoeuvring around steep and precarious slopes, muddy terrains and shallow riverine. The notion of being immersed in the wilderness has never been enthralling. Mountains rose majestically taking its desired position, juxtaposed perpetually , forming stark hues of greens, captivating the bemused eyes.

Pristine rivers cleaved through the deep valleys, intertwined, tantalizing those from afar. Dense rainforest coloured the mountain range vivid green, mists scattered haphazardly, and the pleasant melodies of the birds are deeply engrossing. Its intriguing that this land is blessed with myriad of geographical wonders, appeasing to those who are incessantly smitten by its beauty. Its bemusing and the call to explore the wilderness is quite irresistible.

Nevertheless, Sabah is no home, but it offers the comfort akin to home. Its a place befitting to be called home. An overwhelming feeling of disillusionment and dispirited harbours, having to part with a place that is fondly reminisce, realising how it will be envisaged upon my return back home.

atiqah has always been full of bs

I have dangerous thoughts.

Few days back I've been coming up with a list of why I shouldn't get myself killed yet. 

1) I'm oncall tomorrow
2) I'm out with someone (I only hang out with Luqman or Mizah nowadays) and I can't die now lest I be a burden to them
3) I'm a Muslim and I should not get myself into Hell
4) Kak Elli said she didn't want me to die
5) Poor mom

Today we went out for off road trail and my hesitation and doubting the Old Man can pass cross the river stopped Luqman from crossing with The Old Man at Kg Terian. So we parked and enjoyed the river instead. 

Yesterday I had to change into COVID suited attires and was in a scrub without a cap on exposing my hair and neck because I was in a hurry and couldn't find a cap where I was changing. I couldn't look at anyone because I hoped they wouldn't look at me. Fadli didn't say anything but then Luqman saw me and immediately asked where was my cap as I dived into a cap drawer. It was embarrassing but I was grateful someone called out on me not taking care of my aurah. 

So today we're by a beautiful river. The weather was hot and the river was so so cool. I want to dive in but I had no spare clothes and was wearing cotton and I do not want to get them soaked and clinging on me. 

But this river. When will I come here again. My ferocious Fiesta was not made for this trail. 

I hesitated but he urged me. I knew I wouldn't hesitate if I was alone. I went in only waist deep and just played by the bank. He jumped in where he suggested I should go and yeah as I expected the current there was strong. Then he left upstream away to explore the area. 

I made sure he wasn't looking my way before I went into where he was. And then the dangerous thought came. 

"It's okay even if you die."

I remembered my hesitation had nothing to do with having a male around me. It had everything to do with the dangerous thought I have when I'm in deep waters. 

The current was strong and I couldn't stand upright. I changed my course to the banks and my knee got a good beating onto the rocks. Then I quietly sat in the shallower water. 

And then I remember I shouldn't be a burden. That's one of the earliest thing Luqman ever said to me, back when we were cycling in KB backyard. 

My anxiety, or whatever. They are mine. I shouldn't burden people with it. I told Luqman yesterday when he was telling about Miss (he was also generalising all female) and her periodic good moods that my feelings are my own and I shouldn't subject people to it, and at my worst I am quiet. 

We made our way to Kg Buayan. We came across a river and it was my waist deep. He ploughed through this time and I congratulated him. The rest of the journey was fun. 

At home, I sent him pictures I took of him and he thanked me, calling me "a good henchman."

He called me out correctly. I do lack the confidence to cross deep rivers, with myself because of my dangerous thoughts and with the Old Man because it's old and I don't know its limit. It broke down on us once and I don't know how deep of a water is too deep for it. I know now. 

Plan somewhere that interest him. He's oncall tomorrow so I'm off the hook cm. Instead of going somewhere new, I'm thinking of driving up to Gunung Alab, park by the hillside watching the coastline and feeding the stray dogs. Alone with my sadness. 


Haru & Associates