MON PETIT AVATAR

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Lunar Eclipse



Last night, while my other half was preparing pickled tea-leaves salad, I noticed the moon, which was practically bigger than usual and different in color, from our balcony. Then he told me that it might be lunar eclipse. Obviously, it was the lunar eclipse and I took a few pictures but did not really have a chance to see the full moon after eclipse. Anyway, as usual, here comes my snapshots and hope you all like them. 













Sunday, November 13, 2011

Contribution



public health n. The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community, as by preventative medicine, health education, control of communicable diseases, application of sanitary measures, and monitoring of environmental hazards.
- The American Heritage Dictionary
The collective personal health of a population is the public health. Social, cultural, economic, and political factors all contribute to the overall wellness of the community. Measuring the impact of diseases on population is prerequisite to determine effective ways to reduce the burden of illness. As individual longevity increases, frailty, chronic disease, and disability rise while physical, mental and cognitive capacities decline.1


Yes, you have arrived at the right destination, to “my blog” about nothing special, to be exact. Anyway, I’d love to share one beautiful thing that I witnessed in one particular clinic last Sunday. Generally, non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma do not pose imminent threats to public health. In addition, they are not a major cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide but without effective interventions for the treatment and control, they can affect people lives especially in developing countries.





As an effort to help people suffering those diseases, a group of physician and general practitioners are integrated into team to deliver primary health care services at Mhan Kinn Monastery, Thar Kay Ta, Yangon. It is just a small service orientation action, which was founded 4 years ago to help needed patients. Funding mostly comes from the founder’s family and their acquaintances and the clinic opens every Sunday from 8 a.m to 12 a.m. The patient can get their blood sugar level tested either for free or for 500 kyats /person depending on ones’ socio-economic status. ECG can be tested if necessary. Then, based on the previous medical record and recent examination, the patient can get necessary medicines for coming week or weeks for free. Of course, the patient has to provide the used tablet covers to make sure their regular medication intake and to prevent potential fraud.



In my opinion, it simply functions to bridge the gap between patients and health resources, between communities and primary healthcare services. Access to care is increased when it provides free consultation and medicines for a week or more based on the symptoms. Overall, information, health education, and communication strategies concerning disease patterns and risk factors are still lacking in the community. Advocacy is extremely important in prevention and control of their diseases, as I can’t help but hearing their daily habits in life: smoking, lack of physical exercises, excessive consumption of unhealthy food ingredients, etc.  

1. Markle W H. et al, 2007, Understanding Global Health, Mc Graw Hill, USA.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Yangon Illuminated



Everyday seems sunny and life, with all the people, appear to be normal. The curtain behind which portrays struggle, happiness, sorrow, melancholy, enlightenment, redemption, etc. What about mine? It was and still is the total boredom, and now that I am back to blogoshpere, I hope my life is like a Mardi Gras!!!






Saturday, October 29, 2011

My Favorite Supernatural Moment


I have been watching Supernatural since forever and yes, I usually watch those episodes alone. The series do open a new chapter to ghosts, angels and demons, of course, some of the incidents are very similar to our culture. Whenever I watch this series about ghosts, my other half get confused as I am afraid of them most of the time, lol!!! Speaking of ghosts, now Bangkok is like a ghost town, and I am going to leave the place due to long holidays and sincerely hope that flood situation is getting better. Wander why on earth did I upload the You Tube video?   Well, this very act by Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) from Supernatural makes me laugh, less bitter and always turns me into a good mood. It kind of hurts when I can't enjoy that very performance in my blog and have to watch that on You Tube!!! And off I go to .....

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Ambiguity



Disaster warning has issued for Bangkok and everyone is aware of growing flood threat and prepares to brace for inundation. Though I live in soi-disant low risk area, my stress level has risen every time I watch news. My thoughts ware oscillating between anxiety and calmness during these days: evacuate before too late or sit, wait and prepare for the worst.  I have been asked two popular questions by my fellow Bankokians several times: “Have you stockpiled food?” and “Has the flood reached to your doorstep?”. When it comes to storing up food, I am clueless and dumb: rice, water, oil and that’s about it and honestly I can’t compete with the frenzied shoppers. By the way, you can buy gold anywhere in Bangkok, but bottled water are scarce and I feel like a fool wandering around empty shelves supermarket.

This is the time I wish I were a guy, who can heave sandbags and help the victims, rather than someone rely entirely on some person. So-called flood holidays (27-31 October) officially begin and I have no idea what to do, and definitely not comfortable about being a sitting duck at my own place. Even though I live in multi-storey building, it is still stressful, please try not to laugh at my inquietude: if the flood reaches the designated point, electricity will be cut off, and probably no water supply. As for house protection, all I can do is help heaving sand bags around the building, check the community Facebook page for coming up meetings, and hope for the best. One major problem is getting myself informed though I watch news, connected with social pages, and read the news websites incessantly. I don’t want to participate in blame-game played by politicians and not really fond of media circus and attention hungry politicians. All I want is accurate and up-to-date information of what to expect in coming days. Accepting reality and adjusting myself to new situation are not that easy and I am really grateful for those who care about my well-being.  Ta-ta for now and wish all the best of luck to flood victims.
Flood Battle Spectacular
                                  Thailand pictures , news in pictures , photo in Thailand

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I also need an aspirin!



Source: Thailand pictures , news in pictures , photo in Thailand

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Genting Highlands at a Glance



Looking back the Genting trip, it was all fuzzy; I surely wasn’t prepared for the cable ride, and the cold weather. It was windy, rainy afternoon and we went to the mountain peak by cable car, aka South East Asia’s longest gondola ride. The ride? While someone is trilled to pieces, someone else might be thinking of his/her worst nightmare just for being on the cable, right? I didn’t get lucky enough to see the breathtaking scenic beauty of surrounding hills like in this post 1 and post 2 by my fellow blogger. Moreover, due to heavy rain, we did not have a chance to see how marvelous is the Outdoor Theme Park, but no worries, you can still read the following enchanting post 1 and post 2 by another fellow blogger too. I have to admit, the Indoor Theme Park is also fun and exciting with all the shops, and rides. What I miss most from that day trip is the relatively cool climate and I really would love to spend a few days at the Genting Highlands to check out nightlife, to witness the picturesque view from the room, etc.













Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fried Durian by Durian Addict



I love this creamery, odorant, and yummy durian fruit and unsurprisingly most of my family members enjoy eating it too. Normally, I cook the durian with boiled coconut milk by adding sugar, a pinch of salt and keep it in the freezer for dessert.  Apart from durian chips, I enjoy eating fried durian too.  Calories counters may not want to try the following snack. It is so easy that everyone could do it at home in a snap. I use Gogi tempura batter mix, add salt, sugar and mix with water. Place the peeled durian into the dough, and fry them and serve!!! My apologies for the post if you don’t fancy eating durian at all.




Sunday, October 9, 2011

Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hill



Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi is one of the best places I have visited in Malaysia. It is in fact, an hotel from Berjaya Hotels and Resorts chain, situated within an hour drive from KL. My first sensation when I reached the Japanese Garden was the clean air, probably the cleanest air I breathed in the past few years. The way up to the Japanese Garden was very steep and I had to stop a few moments to catch my breath. We were told that there would be cables soon but for now, we needed to keep on walking, lol!!! 







Following the Japanese Garden, I went to visit, yes, just visit, not stay, at the French themed village. I love its concept, Colmar tropicale, constructed as one French city from Haut-Rhin, namely Colmar, the third largest city after Strasbourg and Mulhouse in Alsace region. I was thrilled to literally see the storks (Cigogne), typical alsacienne timber-framed building  (maisons à colombages) and the signage in Colmar Tropicale. The cold breeze and the greeneries could have persuaded anyone to stay for one night, but we were just appeased with this short visit as there was nothing much we could do except strolling around the resort, enjoy the cooling weather, stay in the room or dining at the restaurants.