Lantern & Mooncake Festival

As my family & I were about to go to bed around 9pm last night, my daughter, Dayana sensed something going on outside the house. We peeked out from the bedroom window and saw the neighbourhood kids celebrating the lantern festival at the playground. Although, the festival officially starts this coming Tuesday, Friday night was good enough, I guess, since it wasn't a school night.

Since Dayana badly wanted to go, and someone had to accompany her, I relunctantly agreed since I could really use some sleep. Julina stayed behind to take care of Hilman.

When I went to the playground, I was happy to see the kids playing around. The played with fireworks and sparklers while the girls played with lanterns. It was nice to see the neighbourhood kids from all races joining in the fun.



One of the boys playing with fireworks.

Neighbour's daughter, Shasha playing with sparklers.

Another boy playing with sparklers.

Dayana with Pei Fen, preparing their lanterns for a "lantern walk".

The girls with lanterns about to start their lantern walk. Note the lanterns hanging at the trees. It looked real nice in real life. I accompanied these girls for a short walk around the neighbourhood.

Chit-chatted with the parents who came down to join in the festivities. Really nice to meet the neighbours, something I don't do much since I had a maid. During my pre-maid days, I would send Dayana to the playground every afternoon and would meet the neighbours. Of course, once the maid came, she was assigned to take my kids to the playground. In fact, she probably knows the neighbourhood people better than I now. A shame, isn't it?

Well, my Dayana enjoyed herself very much. But at 11 o'clock I had to abruptly end her party and get her back in bed. She has piano class AND extra ugama class the next day and therefore she really needs to get a decent amount of rest. Me? Well, I enjoyed myself simply by watching these kids enjoy themselves. It's so nice to see kids so carefree, innocently enjoying life without thinking too deeply as to what they are doing. Something that adults can't always afford to do.

Ciao!

Amir Fuad.

Nurin Jazlin

I am not in the habit of writing sad stories in this blog but this time I'll make an exception.

According the blog set up by Nurin's uncle (Jasni) since she disappeared,( http://www.nurinjazlin.blogspot.com/ ), her parents have decided to accept the child's body in the bag to be their daughter after overwhelming scientific evidence.

I would like to extend my condolences to Nurin Jazlin's parents and siblings. Being a parent myself, I can imagine how such an event can leave indelible scars on my soul for the rest of my life. I just can't imagine what type of human being can have the heart to inflict such cruelty on an innocent child such as Nurin Jazlin. I am deeply saddened by the events yet I also feel deep anger towards the person(s) responsible for this terrible crime.

You may leave condolence messages at the blog.

May Allah bless her soul and place her in paradise befitting the faithful.


Amir Fuad.

Advanced Digital Image Management 2007

Just added: Committee members posing with the backdrop after the whole thing ended: (L-R): Ijan, Syikin, Sathya, Chooi Yoke, Prof Ng, Niza, Amir, Yik Hoay, Jeannie & Chai Hong.

This was what I did on the 3rd-4th of September. I was a committee member of this event, the Advanced Digital Management 2007 which was held at the Diamond Ballroom at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. The event attracted an audience of about 150 people comprising radiologists, radiographers, hospital administrators, IT professionals and the like coming from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, China and India. The speakers were a diverse group of people from radiologists, medical physicists, radiographers, Healthcare IT professionals and leaders in healthcare management from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia & the United States of America.

Below are some pictures which I took at the event.

These happening women were commitee members for the event. from R-L: Niza, Sathya, Syikin, Siti, Jeannie, Tan, Chai Hong, Shahrizan & Chooi Yoke. Where were all the guys? They were busy doing work while the ladies posed for this photograph.

Check it out! Name tags waiting to be collected at the registration counter.

Participants having a cup of coffee and chatting while waiting for the sessions to begin.

Ms Reid Losee, global solutions manager for Agfa's IMPAX Cardiovascular application with Professor Ng Kwan-Hoong meeting up prior to the start of the event.

Prof Lisa chairing a session in which Prof BJ gave the first talk, "Digital Image Management in a Globalised Economy."

There was a Gala Dinner for the event! There was a yummy 10-course Chinese dinner and a live band to entertain us for the "Muhibbah" themed Gala Dinner. I stuffed my face senselessly (as I tend to do at hotel dinners) and enjoyed the music of the band. There were cool door gifts of mugs and batik fans. I also won a lucky draw prize of a pair of watches. Gave one to my wife and one to my daughter. Gave the batik fan to my son which he completely destroyed within an hour of playing with it. Oh well.

Dato Dr Selliah (3rd from left) quietly enjoying the food.

Mr Erik Verschueren & Ms Felicity Tann from Agfa with Prof & Mrs Ng Kwan-Hoong.

Committee members who attended the dinner. Front row: Me, Siti & Ijan. 2nd row: Jeannie, Yik Hoay, Liew, Tan & Chai Hong. All looking happy after binging on lovely food.

Second day and participants still paying attention to the talks.

Exhibition booths by the event sponsors showcasing what they have to offer in managing healthcare-related digital images.

Dr Lawrence Sim (Australia), Dr Meg Richman (USA), Prof Basri Johan Jeet Abdullah-Smith (Malaysia), Prof David Stringer (Singapore) and Dr Nat Lenzo (Australia) were panelists for the forum entitled "Digital Image Management in a Globalised Economy - Is it in the Patient's Interest?" According to Prof Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz, many interesting issues were raised and a lively discussion ensued.

A lot of work went into this event and for that I would have to thank all committee members under Prof Ng & Prof BJ especially Niza & Chooi Yoke for all the efforts put in which have made the event the success that it is.

Fasting month is coming up soon. About time too, as I need to lose weight from partaking in all these lavish hotel meals.

Ciao! Selamat berpuasa!

Amir Fuad.