A Day Without Clinic

Please click the photo above to play the daily videoThere is a persistent myth, chiefly held by people who do not do the work, that a day without clinic is a day at leisure. I am here to report, once again, that it is nothing of the sort. The clinic may have been absent, but the day filled its place with the brisk efficiency of nature abhorring a vacuum. By mid-morning I was already several commitments deep, with no obvious bottom to the list.

The centrepiece was a podcast recording with the Max Family, alongside my friend Dr Razak — a man whose company makes most things more bearable, recording sessions included. It went well, by which I mean the conversation found its rhythm early and rolled along without the usual stilted patches. There is a particular pleasure in talking with someone you genuinely like in front of a microphone; the audience rather fades, and you are simply two people enjoying the thread of it.

The trouble was that I had, with characteristic optimism, scheduled another meeting much earlier than the recording could decently accommodate. So we were obliged to stop midstream — that slightly graceless moment where a good flow is paused on the promise of being resumed, like leaving a film at the interval. I made my apologies, made my exit, and went to honour the prior claim on my time. The recording will keep. Conversations of that sort usually pick up where they left off, even after a gap.

By the time the last of it was done, the tank was running low. There is a specific tiredness that comes not from any single exertion but from the sheer accumulation of obligations, each modest on its own, formidable in aggregate. I had earned my fatigue honestly, which is at least some consolation.

I made it home before sunset, which felt like a small triumph after the recent run of late returns. There is something restorative about arriving while the light still holds, the day not yet surrendered to the evening. The flat was warm and unhurried, and I let myself decompress into it.

Idlan was full of his university doings, eager to recount his presentations from the day before. He is, by every sign, thoroughly enjoying his programme — and there is a particular gladness in watching that. The enthusiasm of someone in the thick of their studies, before the world has had a chance to dampen it, is a tonic. He talked, we listened, and I found my own tiredness quietly easing in the face of his momentum. To see him relish the thing he has set out to do is worth more than I could easily put into words.

So the day closed as a good one, if a busy one. Plenty done, a recording half-finished and a friend's company enjoyed, a meeting honoured, home before dark, and a young man's eagerness to round it off. Not every full day leaves you depleted. Some, the better ones, leave you tired in a way that feels rather like contentment.

A Long Morning

The day finally arrived when Irfan had to sit for the interview for the new school. That started off with some essays and aptitude test. After a short break, it was an interview with one of the teachers. Irfan said that it was easy .... Well, we shall see.

He is not due to change school until next September by the way. For the interview, he had to wake up early and follow us along to the school with Idlan on tow. We stayed at the office with Irfan after Idlan started his class, waiting for his name to be called. He looked rather nervous then. In fact, he slept in our room the night before.

While waiting for Irfan to be calledThe school sure had a long history ...Quick breakfast while Irfan was insideWhile he was doing his essay, we went for breakfast wondering what he was going through. It was all done by 11, when I had to make my move back to Subang. He looked quite confident after and enjoyed the rest of the day off at home.

When asked what the exam was about, he said that he was upset that he didn’t know trigonometry. He had not learned it yet in school. Otherwise, the interview was straightforward and he could do the essays. He was looking forward to change school, so hopefully things would fall in place ....

And It Was Done

It was a longer wait than expected, and should I need to apply or the visa again I would be sure to arrange for earliest appointment. Even though I was slotted for 10am, it was more or less first come first served basis.

I arrive at the embassy 45 minutes before the appointment time, queued up for security and then again for my number. Then I was called to hand in my passport, and my photographs were taken away then.

10 minutes later, my fingerprints were taken. And waiting for the third time to be called was the longest. It was close to an hour, but at least the TV was on. We weren't allowed electronic devices or phones, so that was may be the reason I felt the wait was longer.

The third time I was called was for the interview. Very direct and to the point. I stated the reason for going, and after a few more questions, I was told my visa was being approved.

Since it was Friday today, I would be able to pick up my passport with the visa stamp on Monday afternoon. Looking at my schedule, it would likely be Wednesday morning for me.

All in all, it was not a problem at all. The staff there were courteous and we were informed every step of the way what was going to happen next, which makes a lot of difference. Even the local security staff employed by the Embassy seemed to be nicer than your typical jaga. They must be paid well then I supposed LOL.

So, I guessed I could start packing then ......

More on my Atlanta trip here.

Early Start

So, all excited for the nothing's visa interview, I actually woke up earlier than usual, extra early I meant. Caught up with the news while waiting for the boys to get up - the were having their end of year exams this week.

So, since I had cancelled the morning clinic, I had extra time to myself. After sending the boys away to school, we went on to KLCC for breakfast. The embassy was located close by, and while I was away at the embassy, Anita would be hanging around at Suria.

So, I'm all set ..... more on my Atlanta trip here.

To the Embassy

Yes, if everything goes well, I will be attending the American Society of Haematology Scientific Meeting scheduled for December in Atlanta, Georgia. Things had been arranged, and I would be attending an interview at the embassy tomorrow morning.

Tickets, passport, hotel bookings, conference pass, and sponsor confirmation were already in the bag. And the last thing I needed to sort out was the 2 by 2 inches photograph for the visa. And that was taken earlier at Bangsar Village. I was glad that the moment I mentioned that the photos were US visas, the lady behind the counter knew exactly what I meant.

I have cancelled the morning clinic, and I would be doing a later rounds than usual tomorrow. The driver would be taking me there, so, I did not have to worry about parking and transport. I picked up a 10 am slot so as not to rush in during the peak traffic hours. Hopefully things could be sorted out in time so that I could be at the hospital before noon.

I really didn't know what to expect, so, I just brought with me all my documents and hope for the best ......

More on my Atlanta trip here.