Home Is Where The Heart Is...

In my 30 odd years of existence on the face of the earth, or to make it sound less dramatic, in my short career span of almost 10 years of serving the public (they dont call it public 'servant' for nothing y'know), I have worked at a few different places.

Big cities, small-almost-dead-town, far away from home, 10 minutes drive away from Mum's...

I have worked with and under different kinds of bosses, colleagues, support staff...

I became the physician, the surgeon, the butcher, the marriage counsellor, the sex therapist... I have cut, chopped, korek, lapah, circumcised, amputated...

Have worked with humans and non-humans (contoh: maggots....). U name it, i have done it.

I have slaved further thru another 4.5 more years to be where i am today. And all those blood, sweat, tears, money, trauma to the heart and soul.... was worth it. Every bit, every drop, every cent...

I wont deny that with further advancement in career will reap in more benefit such as increase in salary and allowances. But 'public servant tegar' like me would probably stay on and contribute to the beloved country and its people, till my service is no longer needed, rather than look for the greener pasteur out there ie. the private practice. But the future is none for us to predict kan....*wink wink*

Though my career did not take me to Europe, or Middle East, or even Southeast Asia, i did get a taste of a few different cultures and people of Malaysia. The urban Klites, the Orang Asli, the makcik and pakcik from kampungs in Kedah and Perak, the Datuk and Tan Sri...

After my 3.5 months rendezvous at the northern part of Malaysia (AS), right after passing my finals, i was transferred to Bandar T which is at the East Coast (hence my disappearance from the blogland).

At first i was skeptical and fuming. I was hoping to be sent to a big city like Melacca or Kuantan. After a decade in KL, i admit that i have become a city-gal. I would die-of-boredom-with-my-eyes-opened if I am to work at another dead town. AS nearly murdered my spirit.

Bandar T is a total alien to me. My first drive thru Karak was nerve-wrecking. I could see my knuckles turned white as i steered the car along the sharp bends. My heart was having arrythmia, dancing to the tunes of Paris Hilton (sedap pulak lagu dia ni.... she can actually sing????).

When i reached Bandar T, i drove thru the town. About 20 minutes later..... "Eh?? That was it??" No malls? No Watson?? No cinemas?? All i could see was Mini Market Rokiah.... Haiyoooo!!!!!

Yeah, it is a small town. But the hospital where i will be working at (the fifth one, just for the record) was a total contrast. It is bigger than the one i worked in before (later i found out, big in size but not in staff). It is a new hospital, fully equipped. I think di bawah RMK8 budget kut??

The Pengarah is very friendly. And he got 9 cats!!! (Dont ask me how i got to know about it). The support staffs are friendly too. I guess, everyone knows everyone over here.

My department has about 9 medical staff, and 4 non-medical support staff. I have only one MO under me. And another colleague, a Specialist, my new partner in crime. He is kinda nice too.

When i drove back to KL today to sit for my PTK exams on Tuesday, he smsed to say good luck and drive carefully. Awwwwwww.... my heart just warmed up.

See...... even small simple gestures like that can melt a girl's heart. But some guys are just too 'dungu' to notice and lack the initiative.

A signboard struck my attention.... Bandar T, Bandar Ikan Patin.... hmmmm. Ikan patin is my favourite fish, esp cooked with tempoyak. Slliiuurrrrpppp.... kembang all my salivary glands. Perhaps, that is a good sign.

I requested to stay at the hospital quarters. Prior to the move, a few people had told me about this hospital and its beautiful quarters. I was given the MO quarters since the Specialist quarters will be too big for me to stay there alone, according to the Pengarah.

At first i sulked. Hey.... since they are cutting my housing allowance and COLA, i should get what i deserve right??? Oh well...

The apartment is big. It has a master bedroom, 3 more other bedrooms, 4 bathroom, a big kitchen (probably 7 times bigger than the house in KL), 2 living areas, dining area, a store room, laundry area, lots of windows and its fully furnished too! Built-in cabinets, 2 sets of sofas, dining table for 8, king size bed, 4 other single beds, mattresses, pillows, tv cabinet.....

Maaannnn... and we are talking about the MO apartment here.

I was thrilled!! Anything bigger than this, would be a bungalow to me.

A new hospital,

friendly colleague and staff (no big boss to harrass me),

a comfortable, cheap, new apartment which is just a walking distance from workplace (can come home for lunch and prayers during lunch break),

bandar ikan patin (can get gulai tempoyak ikan patin from the hospital canteen everyday),

about 2 hrs drive from KL (can still come down to KL during sales or whenever i crave for Chillis),

a small, peaceful town, much less hectic than KL (ie less patients and workload)...

Everything is at a slower pace, just as I like it...

I think I am finally, home...