PP 4353/05/2013 (033269)
September 2016
KL
american
A Publication of the American Association of Malaysia KL American September 2016
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Good guides can help before you go Make sure you’ve got the local knowledge to settle in more quickly.
Go knowing
www.crownrelo.com.my 2
KL American September 2016
Crown service offerings include: • • • • • •
International & Domestic Shipments Transit Protection Immigration & Legalization School Search Settling-in Services Intercultural Support
Tel: +60 3 5636 9166 kualalumpur@crownrelo.com
Contents
AAM September 2016 Advertisers Index Advertisers
(A-Z)
4
President’s Message
Page
Asian Tigers Transpo
Back Cover
Crown Relocations
Inside Front Cover
Eastern Carpets
p.19
Tan & Tan
Inside Back Cover
EVA Air
p.15
Hop On / Hop Off
p.18
The Expat
p.24
RSDHC
p.26
Tropicana Medical Centre
p.20
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6
6
Membership
Weekly/Monthly Activities
7 – 10
September Activities
12 – 13
Community Services
16
Featured Article
22 24 25
AAM Messages
AAM Community Bulletin Board
26
Cover photo by Lovie Alptunaer.
Memories
AAM Calendar / September
22 KL American September 2016
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President’s Message Happy September Everyone! Where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe fall is knocking on the door, although, in Kuala Lumpur we don’t get to feel the change in the weather and see the leaves change color. Maybe this El Nino will finally let up and it will seem like fall when the temps drop back down to the high 20’s! Ha The Board of Directors came back together in early August and held our first board meeting after taking a break for the summer months. Of course, the biggest item on the agenda was our office space. We discussed our options and at the end of August the Executive Board held a separate meeting and made the decision to close the office. This decision was not easy and centered around the effects this would have on our dedicated office staff and how AAM will operate going forward with no office space. Please turn to the back of the magazine on the AAM Bulletin Board page where I will talk more about this decision, why we made it and how we are going to move forward starting at the end of November. I don’t want to dwell on it too long here in what is supposed to be my ‘short message’ to the membership. Instead I want to focus on the many FUN and FABULOUS events, we have coming up in the next few months and really encourage everyone to come out and have a great time. We have our Fall Rug Auction coming up on Friday, 2 September followed by our ever popular ‘Welcome Back’ Shrimp Boil towards the end of the month. October will see us co-hosting our ‘Pink October’ event, this year with The Latin Ladies Association of Malaysia as well as the Association of British Women in Malaysia. This year will be bigger and better than last year, and last year was pretty darn good. Get your PINK ON ladies and come on out for a great time, great food and support a worthy cause. November will bring our 30th Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar once again at the Renaissance Hotel so do mark that one in your calendar – it’s the kick-off to the holiday season. With all that going on, we are going to be very busy over the next little while and I look forward to seeing you at the many events we have planned.
Peggy Uptigrove President
President Peggy Uptigrove President.aam@gmail.com Vice President Ann Blacklock FirstVP.aam@gmail.com Secretary Brenda Miller Secretary1.aam@gmail.com Treasurer Lesia Puri Treasurer.aam@gmail.com Publications Director VACANT Editor.KLAmerican@gmail.com Major Events Director VACANT Majoreventsdir.aam@gmail.com Membership Director Wendy Frazer Membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com
Liaison Directors American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Chua ISKL Hilda Alposilva US Embassy Alyssa Calabrese Kelli Baker
Corporate Partners For 2016
Event Sponsors for 2016
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Board of Directors
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Membership
KL
AAM is making changes to the Membership Renewal Process: In an effort to keep a more accurate record of our current membership and provide better support to our members, the AAM Board has made the decision to switch to an annual renewal effective January 1st, 2017. The changes to our current membership will be implemented this year so that we have a smooth transition starting in 2017.
American Magazine Team
Editor VACANT Photo Editors Judy Pescio Randee Duncan
For our current members: Your membership renewal will be pro-rated for the remainder of this year according to quarters. Below is a chart of membership fees for the remainder of 2016:
Contributors Peggy Uptigrove Debz Rafferty
If your membership expires between July 1 – September 30th You will pay RM106 inclusive of GST
Proof Reader Samantha Urlwin
If your membership expires between October 1 – December 31st You have two options: - Option 1 is to wait and renew January 1st, 2017 - Option 2 is to pay RM53 inclusive of GST for the last three months of the year
Editorial Support Peggy Uptigrove Designer Yap Wai Kuan Advertising Sales Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009
It should be noted that if you choose option one and there are member/ non-member events scheduled between October 1 and December 31st that you wish to attend, you will pay the non-member price.
Printer Seng Hoe Printing Process 33, Jalan Hang Tuah 2 Taman Salak Selatan 57100 Kuala Lumpur Tel/Fax: (03) 8941-7603
For our new members: Joining between 1 July – 31 December you will pay RM106 (inclusive of GST) You will be reminded in December to renew your membership and then it will be effective for the entire calendar year of 2017 and every subsequent year thereafter. We thank you for your continued support.
Publisher American Association of Malaysia The KLAmerican is published 10 times per year. The deadline for inclusion is at least six weeks prior to publication, which is the 1st of the month. Advertising for non-profit organizations is free-of-charge on a space-available basis. The magazine staff reserves the right to edit copy for clarity, brevity, and accuracy. Information on AAM members is not to be used commercially.
Wendy Frazer Membership Director
“Selamat Datang ke AAM!” to our new members for July:
Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.
American Association of Malaysia Unit 19-1, 19th Floor, Tower B The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC 50450 Kuala Lumpur GPS Coordinates: N3° 9’ 28.899” E101° 42’ 58.217”
Berman, Jeremy & Aurora Shrestha, Anne & Arbind Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009 Fax: (03) 2181-7005 E-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com Website: www.klamerican.com
OFFICE HOURS Monday – Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Thursday - Sunday and public holidays
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Weekly Activities All activities are at the AAM Villa @ The Troika unless noted.
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
Get rid of those Monday blues by playing a lively game of mahjong. We’ll shuffle the tiles, make ‘pungs’ and ‘kongs’, and enjoy the afternoon. Beginners are welcome. For more information, please email klamerican.info@gmail.com and include “Mahjong” in the subject line.
New and seasoned sewing enthusiasts work together to share their love of the stitching arts. We meet at the AAM Villa @ The Troika. Please contact Coordinator, Jeanie Kennedy at aamsewing@gmail.com for details. Please be sure to put “Stitching Friends” in the subject line.
Mahjong 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Members Free / Non-Members are welcome for a nominal fee. (The first two visits are complimentary)
Stitching Friends 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Members FREE / Non-Members RM10 donation (The first two visits are complimentary.)
Monthly Activities Friday, 2 September 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Harrods Cafe / KLCC Ground Floor, SuriaKLCC (Across from Melur& Thyme) Cost: Individual
First Friday
While most of us may be aware that there is a Harrods shop in KLCC, located strategically by the busy and most accessed escalator in Suria KLCC, how many of us know that there is one Harrods Cafe on the Ground Floor, near the entrance to KLCC from the Isetan side? For our first Friday in September we will once again meet at Harrods Café. They serve a really good selection of breakfast items, including pastries, omelets and much more. Excellent cup of coffee too! Newcomers are welcome to join us here to connect to others that are new in the area and hopefully connect you to our Association and all the great things we do here at the AAM. Everybody welcome. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com (not required but would be nice to know how many to expect).
Wednesday, 7 September 6:00 p.m. onwards TAPAS Beer Bar / 1 Jalan Nagasari
Gentlemen’s Night Out
Calling all Gentlemen!
For many of us getting out and socializing with other men folk can be difficult, with working all week and weekends reserved for family. Well, no more! There will be a ‘Gentlemen’s Night Out’ every first Wednesday of the month in the popular Changkat Bukit Bintang area. The format is entirely informal with the chance to sample some craft beers and great grub - and plenty of scope to move onto play some pool, darts or even just talk on manly matters! See you there! Stan RSVP: Useful but not needed. Email: drstanbrook@hotmail.com
Tuesday, 13 September 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly Taman Sri Bahtera, Batu Lima Cheras Tel: (03) 9131-1464
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KL American September 2016
Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor Join our monthly bingo game to help spread the joy at this home for the elderly! We will bring prizes for the winners. The bingo morning is one of the highlights of the month for the residents. Please email klamerican.info@gmail.com if you can join us or would like more information.
September Activities
AAM / CAM / ABWM and Eastern Carpets present
The Fall Rug Auction Friday, 2 September 2016 Safir Room, Hotel Istana 73 Jalan Raja Chulan 6:30 p.m. Viewing of rugs, light dinner and drinks 7:30 p.m. to Midnight Auction Members: RM30 Non-Members: RM45 Lucky draws throughout the night *Eastern Carpets is an AAM preferred carpet seller. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com nchurch@me.com abwmhouse2011@gmail.com
Photos from the 2016 Spring Rug Auction.
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September Activities Fall Rug Auction Monday, 19 September 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. AAM Office / 19th Floor, Tower B, The Troika Cost: FREE
Sponsored by:
Asian Tigers Coffee Morning – Travel Talk Friday, 2 September 6:30 p.m. viewing of rugs, light dinner and drinks 7:30 p.m. – Midnight Rug Auction Safir Room, Hotel Istana / 73 Jalan Raja Chulan Cost: Members RM30 / Non-Members RM45 If you like beautiful carpets and enjoy the competition of an auction, then this is an event just for you. Our friends from Eastern Carpets Singapore are back in town and bringing with them all kinds of beautiful carpets, surprise items and a whole lot of fun. A light dinner is served from 6:30 – 7:30 as well as free flow beer and wine throughout the night. It’s a great night out for couples and if you are in the market for a beautiful carpet for your home, you won’t go home disappointed. Going once, going twice, SOLD! RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by Thursday, 1 September.
Join us as we resume our coffee mornings sponsored by Asian Tigers. To kick off the fall season we are hosting a Travel Talk on Australia & New Zealand. When it’s summer here, it’s winter there so now is the perfect time to come out and learn all about the travel opportunities for these two amazing places and plan your travel just in time for spring or summer down under. Learn about where to go and what to do from a local. Vicki from Australia Expat Travel will be our featured speaker and has been helping American Club families plan and book holidays since 2004! It will be a holiday experience you will never forget and you can have Vicki help you plan all the details. Discounts offered to those AAM members that attend. Light refreshments will be served so plan to come early, grab coffee and a muffin, settle in for a fun and informative morning. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by Wednesday, 14 September
Welcome Back Shrimp / Crawfish Boil
Tuesday, 20 September 11:45a.m. – 1:30 p.m. ABC – Acme Bar & Coffee The Troika – Ground Level Cost: Individual This hidden gem located on the ground floor of the Troika, residential Tower A has quickly become a popular hot spot for lunch and dinner. This month our lunch bunch is staying close to home and have chosen ABC as the location for our lunch gathering. ABC has fantastic salads, starters, and main dishes. Save room for dessert, particularly their signature Sizzling Brownie – a treat not to be missed. Please make plans to join us. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by Monday, 19 September (must register for reservation purposes)
Saturday, 24 September 7:00 p.m. – midnight Suria Stonor 2 / South Common Area / Lorong Stonor South Cost: Members RM150 / Non-Members RM195 – limit first 100 to sign up Our annual Welcome Back Shrimp/Crawfish Boil is on. Join us for an evening of great food, catching up with friends and Open Bar. Our cooks have the experience and the tools to cook up some awesome food that will leave you wanting more. If you have never experienced an authentic crawfish boil – this is the event for you. We will have some great raffle items and some other fun things to make the evening a success. RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by Wednesday, 21 September.
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September Activities
Events Sponsor:
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September Activities
The AAM is having a SALE. We can’t call it a ‘garage sale’ because we don’t have a garage. We can’t call it a ‘yard sale’ because we don’t have a yard. So we will simply say: We are having a sale! With the closure of the AAM office at the end of November, we are selling a whole lot of items we have collected over the years; dishes, art work, selected furniture, mirrors, shelving, bowls, pots & pans and really just a bunch of other stuff. Whatever doesn’t sell will be “donated” to the White Elephant sale table at our Annual Bazaar in November.
Friday, 30 September & Saturday, 1 October 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Come either day and be prepared to cash & carry. If the item is too large for you to pick up on the day you shop, you can come back and pick it up on another day, once you have arranged adequate transportation.
Come One, Come All!
Looking Ahead…
Be sure to mark these dates for activities in October: 04 October – BINGO 05 October– Gentlemen’s Night Out 07 October – Pink October Lunch
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October Activities
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Community Service
To order tickets email:
klamerican.info@gmail.com or call (03)2161 9008/9009 12
KL American September 2016
Community Service Your junk…is someone else’s treasure!!! Please drop off your once loved items and put a smile on someone’s face as they shop our huge White Elephant Sale. Take your gently used items to the AAM office (The Troika, Tower B, 19th Floor) any time during business hours between now and 19 October. All proceeds raised will go to our charities.
Christmas is Coming! Used Books Dust off those bookshelves and bring your used books, games and puzzles to the AAM. All proceeds raised will go to our charities.
The AAM Christmas Charity Bazaar is approaching and 2016 will be the 30th Anniversary of hosting this highly anticipated Bazaar. We have already started to secure our vendors, white elephant items and will soon be gathering baked goods, which all come together for charity. We would like to make this years’ Bazaar the BIGGEST and BEST ever as we raise funds for the charities the AAM supports. If you are interested in getting involved or want more information, please email: Leslie Sjurseth at bazaardirector.aam@gmail.com.
Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen Mark your calendars, it’s that time of year, Our Charity Bazaar is nearly here! And one tradition so dear to my heart Is providing the goodies that I love to impart. But I, Mrs. Claus can’t do it alone Since I need lots of goodies for our Friends to take home. So I need some help to fill all my shelves And I’m desperately in need of A few helpful elves! Baking your treats as you are able Will definitely help me to fill up my table. The instructions you need are all right below Thank you to all and a Merry ho-ho!
If you have a favorite recipe for any baked goods, i.e. cookies, brownies, scones, cakes, pies, breads or muffins, that say “tradition” in your family, please consider baking it and sharing with our community.
Help decorate the AAM’s Christmas Charity
Giving Tree. Buy a beautiful Christmas ornament for only RM50 and make a donation at the same time. You may purchase an ornament at the Bazaar, at the Villa, or at an AAM event through December. You may also send donations to the Villa by mail or electronically by contacting klamerican.info@gmail.com.
For shoppers to enjoy right away, please package cookies three to four a bag and brownies two to a bag. Please include a description of the baked goods. Mrs. Clause would prefer items arrive at the bake sale table BEFORE 10:00 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel OR can be dropped off at the AAM office by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 November. Mrs. Claus can’t wait to see what everyone is donating! The funds we raise will mean so much to our charities. Questions? Leslie @ bazaardirector.aam@gmail.com.
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Ladies Trip to Bali, Indonesia!
Calling all you ladies that are up for a whole lot of fun and adventure. This year we are putting together a fun filled trip to Bali! What could be better than Bali, beaches,and best girlfriends getting togther for a few days to sharea lot of laughs and making some really great memories along the way. Here are all the details: Trip Dates: Sunday 13 November – Thursday 17 November (Air fare is NOT included in the price listed below and you are responsible to make your own flight arrangements. Flights are currently running about $80USD return). Staying at our own private villa located on the southeast coast of Indonesia(near Ubud, Indonesia). Ubud offers Balinese massages galore, the Art Market, gorgeous white sand beaches, outdoor activities (rafting, tubing, treks through rice fields) to name a few. The Villa is located in the exclusive neighborhood ofAnapuri Villas which is on Pabean Beach. Our villa has 6 bedrooms which allows for 12 guests, 6 bathrooms, private plunge pool, media room, fully equipped gym, indoor and outdoor dining areas, turn down and make up services, on-site security, manager, housekeeper, satellite T.V. in each room as well as Wifi throughout. We will also have our own private chef that will shop for and prepare our meals for us – the chef is included with the rental. Groceries will be an additional charge once we work out menus for each meal. We will also have our own driver and vehicle for our stay who can pick us up from the airport, shuttle us around to town for shopping and dining out and then take us back to the airport at the end of our trip. Price: $400.00 U.S. per person and includes everything mentioned above except for your flights and groceries and wine! If you are interested in going on this trip you must act fast – 10 of the 12 spots have already been sold so we only have room for 2 more. Get ready Ladies – Bali will never be the same. Please email Mona Reaves at monareaves@gmail.com to get more information and to sign up. Don’t wait – if you hesitate someone else may take your spot! To view more details about our villa, go to: www.vrbo.com/3952344ha#or simply type in Bayu Gita Beach Front 14
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Tips For A Secure And Stress Free Move By Debz I find myself in the middle of moving houses as I type this article. I used to live in Lumina Kiara but, despite telling the management there were serious holes in their security, they did nothing to resolve the matter; this resulted in someone gaining access and breaking into one of my vehicles and stealing satellite navigation equipment, some tools and some other personal belongings. I was angry at first, then a little embarrassed that as a security specialist I had been burgled. My anger returned when I scanned the CCTV footage and saw that a scooter rider had just driven in unchallenged. The track he took was one I had pointed out as a weakness only three months before. I was further dumbfounded when I learned that one of the semi-detached houses within the complex had been burgled the previous year. I contacted my landlord and discovered there was no reason for him to get involved. His disinterest was very disheartening. Subsequently I have moved out! Now to the move; it is said that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do. Well, I refuse to get stressed, and being as many of my friends are currently packing up and heading back to their motherland I thought I would share a few points that may make a move relatively stress-free! First and foremost, whether moving across the street, across the city, the country or the world, always get more than one quote from a reputable moving agency. By getting more than one quote, you will have peace of mind that you are getting a fair price and value for your hard earned money. This can apply if a company is moving you back home as well, you don’t always have to ‘settle’ for the moving agent of their choice – which may not always be the best. Shop around! Once you have secured your mover and settled on a price, follow these tips to make your transition a smooth and (almost) stress free experience. 1. Have a clear out before you pack. The Japanese say you should hold up an object and if it does not bring you joy, get rid of it. So I threw away my scales, my bras, my treadmill, my full-length mirror and I am keeping my ice cream maker! All joking aside, have a de-clutter! I am still not sure why I am carrying downhill and cross-country skis across Asia! 2. Remove all your valuables, jewellery, passports etc. and put them somewhere safe. I put mine all together in a carryon case, which I then locked. Pack a suitcase with at least a week’s worth of clothes. Make sure you have enough of everything, I was so busy packing for my son, who is 18 months, that I seem to have miscalculated what I needed! I spent a week with the choice of formal suits, swimwear or yoga clothes! I’ll be more careful next time and make a checklist. 16
KL American September 2016
3. Remove everything that will be needed to hand over the home you are leaving: remote controls for air con, ceiling fans, etc.; keys including spares; instruction manuals you got when you arrived; final maintenance receipts – I put them all in a box kept secure but accessible in the trunk of the car. 4. Book temporary accommodation nearby. There are many serviced apartments in KL, I booked my family into The Wedgewood Residences for four nights. Being out of the house saves a lot of stress, moving is hard work, and dusty! It was great because after 5PM when the packers left was great! I got to walk away from all the mess, I didn’t have to try and find pots and pans to cook with, and I took long dips in the pool. The added bonus was my suitcase of valuables was safely out of the house. 5. Book your pets into a pet hotel. I have dogs and one of them is very elderly, knowing that she was safely with a trusted minder gave me one less worry.
6. Give yourself an extra day after the movers have emptied the house to get the cleaners in and get the air cons, etc. serviced. 7. Get an agent to do the handover to the landlord. Let them argue the small details, let someone else take on that baggage, and having an agent often makes it easier to get your full deposit back! I have forgotten how many people have told me that. “You never get your deposit back.” This is nonsense, yes you do. 8. If you are leaving the country then being in a serviced apartment has an extra ‘thumbs up’ for being the perfect place to hold a farewell pot luck night! Get your friends to come to you for the last goodbyes, so you do not find yourself running around like a headless chicken.
9. If you are moving to another house in the area then you may want to stay in the serviced apartments for a couple of extra days to save “glamping” on the floor (glamping = glamourous camping) 10. When your boxes arrive, make sure they are put straight in the correct room so you are not moving boxes later. 11. Finally say to yourself “I refuse to get stressed!” and have a glass of wine. Stay safe, stay savvy
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God save the Queen
1926 - 2016 Celebrating the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Great British Ball 2016 22nd October 2016 7:30pm
Tickets: RM450 Black Tie
www.greatbritishball.com.my
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Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
tickets@greatbritishball.com.my
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All About Ganglion A ganglion cyst is a benign mass commonly found on the back of the wrist and the end of joints in the fingers. It is the most common soft tissue tumours of the hand. These tumours or lumps usually arise from a joint, tendon or tendon sheath. They are filled with a thick fluid (joint fluid) and covered by a thick sheath. Two common location of the cyst (back and front of the wrist) as shown below.
Dr. Terrence Tay MBBS (UM), MS Ortho (UM), MRCS (Edin), CMIA (NIOSH), Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery (Louisville, USA), Fellowship in Hand, Plastic, Burn and Reconstruction (Tubingen, Germany) Consultant Hand & Microsurgeon Tropicana Medical Centre WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A GANGLION CYST? Ganglion cysts are usually seen as a lump or bump on the hand or wrist. The cause of these cysts may be related to arthritis or an inflammation around a tendon. In some cases, the cause is unknown. It usually occurs singly and in very specific locations but they have been reported to arise from almost every joint. Cosmetic appearance, pain and weakness are the usual complaints and they appear suddenly or in several months. Sometimes, a specific antecedent trauma or repeated minor trauma can trigger the formation of ganglion.
TROPICANA MEDICAL CENTRE
11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. T: +603-6287 1111 W: www.tropicanamedicalcentre.com FB: www.facebook.com/TropicanaMedicalCentre E: enquiries@tropicanamedicalcentre.com
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HOW IS A GANGLION CYST DIAGNOSED? Diagnosis of a ganglion cyst is made by the appearance of the mass and its location. Sometimes an x-ray is necessary to rule out bone abnormalities. In a great percentage of cases, the ganglion cyst is painless, but in some patients pain is produced with certain activities. The cyst can change in size or disappear completely on its own. WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR A GANGLION CYST? Treatment is related to the symptoms. If there is no pain associated with the ganglion cyst, treatment can be observation only. A wrist brace may help diminish the size of the cyst. If pain is associated with the cyst or it is large and cosmetically unacceptable to the patient, it can be aspirated with a needle removing the fluid inside. There is a higher chance of recurrence with the aspiration technique than with surgery.
Surgery includes the removal of the cyst and its surrounding membrane and the extension of the cyst into the joint. (Picture below) The excised cyst commonly sent for histopathological examination. Microscopically, the cyst consists of viscous and clear-like mucin which is surrounded by collagen fibres and sparsely lined with flattened cells.
CHOICES OF SURGERY Open removal has been the surgical treatment of choice for ganglion cyst removal, with newer technique of removal using arthroscopy offering some benefits, includingsmaller incisions and therefore leaves smaller scars. Recurrence is seen with all treatment modalities and has been reported to be as high as 10-20%. Regardless of whether the ganglion is removed via open surgery or via arthroscopic excision, when a stalk is visualized, it should be completely removed, or the cyst should be removed at the origin to reduce the risk of recurrence. A recurrence rate of 13-40% has been observed following removal of entire cysts, but when a portion of the capsule is removed as well, recurrence rates decrease to as low as 4%. POST OPERATIVE CARE After surgery, a soft dressing or a resting splint is applied to control post-operative pain. Physical therapy is sometimes necessary if stiffness develop in the wrist or finger. If you require an ambulance service, dial our 24hr Emergency Hotline at +603-6287 1999. Our dedicated ambulance service is well-equipped with experienced paramedics and well-trained emergency medical staff to deliver a wide range of medical services in times of emergencies. For more info, kindly contact our Expatriate Liaison, Sarah at 018-2111 259. When should you call an Ambulance? Experience heart attack/severe chest pain, experience breathing difficulty, paediatric & neonatal cases, experience severe abdominal pain, experience severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, strokes, fainting, convulsions/fits/seizure, trauma (injury)/ road or motor vehicle accident, fractures / dislocation / serious sprain, require emergency
Absentee Voting Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad Make your vote count! Every overseas U.S. citizen is eligible to vote by absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline. Unfortunately, late ballots are one of the top reasons that absentee ballots are rejected by election officials. To make the most out of your vote, please follow a few simple steps to make sure that you can vote in the 2016 U.S. elections: 1. Request Your Ballot: Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You must complete a new FPCA after January 1, 2016 to ensure you receive your ballot for the 2016 elections - even if you have completed one before. All overseas citizens must complete a new Federal Post Card Application each year to ensure they are not dropped from the voter register. The completion of the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. The FPCA is accepted by all local election officials in all U.S. states and territories. You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP. gov. The online voting assistant will ask you questions specific to your state. We encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option. Return the FPCA per the instructions on the website. FVAP.gov will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original signature. If you must return a paper version, please see below for mailing options. 2. Receive and Complete Your Ballot: States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. Check out the FVAP links page for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line, or search the internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook and Twitter. 3. Return Your Completed Ballot: Please remember U.S. Embassies are not polling places. Same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States. Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. - Fax, Email, or Internet Some states allow ballots to be submitted electronically. Check the specific requirements of your state since some require you to still mail in the signed paper ballot. - Election Materials Drop-Off at the Embassy U.S. citizens may drop off voting materials to be returned to the U.S. any business day between 9am and 3pm, at the front gate of the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur at 376 Jalan Tun Razak. Place your registration materials or ballots in the postage paid return envelope (provided by your election officials, or use the online templates for registration or ballots) and address your voting materials to the relevant local election officials. Processing time is generally one to two weeks for materials to reach the U.S. postal system. - Use the Malaysian Postal System or Private Courier Service If it’s more convenient for you, you can also return your FPCA or ballot to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense. Affix the appropriate postage to your envelope when sending materials through the Malaysian Postal System. Do not forget to write USA on the address. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. You may also get information via FVAP’s toll-free telephone number: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or by contacting the ACS Unit at KLACS@ state.gov. Remember, make your vote count!
KL American September 2016
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Memories First Friday Coffee - 3 June Photos by Kay McNaught
While only a few ladies gathered for our First Friday in June, we all still enjoyed each other’s company and our conversations.
U.S. Embassy celebrates 240th Anniversary of the Independence of America - 3 June Photos by Peggy Uptigrove
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KL American September 2016
Although this was not an AAM event, as President, I was invited to attend the U.S. Embassy party on Friday, 3 June to celebrate the 240th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States. It was a small gathering of about 600+ people and was hosted by the Honorable Joseph Y. Yun. This is the last summer that Mr. Yun will be serving in Malaysia and will be leaving shortly on his next assignment back in Washington D.C.
Memories Lunch Bunch @ Fresca / Avenue K 14 June Photos by Peggy Uptigrove
Even though a lot of our friends had been traveling for the summer, a group of ladies gathered at Fresca’s in Avenue K for some great laughs and some great Mexican food.
AAM Celebrates 4th of July BBQ - 3 July Photos by Peggy Uptigrove
A whole bunch of members were in town for the 4th of July BBQ which we celebrated on Sunday, 3rd July. We had burgers from The Blue Cow café and hot dogs on the grill while attendees brought all the salads, side dishes and desserts. A great time was had by everyone that attended. This is one of the FREE members event that we host during the year but people were asked to bring a donation of dog or cat food – and we collected pounds and pounds of it for our charity – the Selangor SPCA. Thank you everyone that came out and made this event a success.
KL American September 2016
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AAM Messages AAM Online Communities The AAM is on Facebook! “Like” the AAM Facebook fan page by logging on, typing ‘American Association of Malaysia’ in the Search bar at the top of the page and clicking ‘Like.’ You’ll get the latest information on all of AAM’s exciting events and activities!
Introducing the AAM Google Group - a forum for members to consult with other members on queries and recommendations for anything from best family hotels to dentists to household help. Members can join in two ways. First, you can send an email to secondvp.aam@gmail.com with the email addresses you would like to add to the Google Group. Please put “Need AAM Google Group Invite” in the header of the email. The second way to join is you can go to Google Groups, search for American Association of Malaysia and then ask to be invited and the Administrator can add you. When you receive the invite via email, you must respond to complete the registration process. For more information, go to http:// www.klamerican.com/online-communities.
Membership Renewal
To avoid missing any issues of the magazine and to continue receiving discounted prices for AAM events, please make sure your membership is up to date. Renewal notices will be emailed to you one month before expiration. Dues can be paid by cash or check in person at the AAM Villa @ The Troika by or cash deposit to the AAM’s bank account directly.
Your $0.02 Do you have any ideas or suggestions for new activities, events or workshops that may be of interest to our members? Can you think of ways we can improve our current line-up? Any concerns about the AAM’s building facilities? Your feedback, whether positive or negative, is always welcome. Kindly drop us a note in the Suggestion Box located in the villa or email klamerican.info@gmail.com.
Solicitation Policy Solicitation of business by any member or guest is not allowed at any AAM function without prior board approval. Members are requested to respectfully observe the policy that membership information is to be used solely for AAM business and is not to be used for personal or business solicitation purposes. If you are interested in sharing your talents/services with the AAM, please contact the AAM office.
Holidays in September Monday, 12 September – Hari Raya Qurban Friday, 16 September – Malaysia Day
Reservation & Payment Policy
Event and Activity reservations can be made via email to klamerican. info@gmail.com, in person or via fax. • If the reservation is made via email or fax, the AAM office will send you an acknowledgment receipt and advise whether or not the activity is still available. • Fees MUST be paid within 48 hours of signing up for an event or activity. You will not be “confirmed” for the event/activity until payment in full has been received by the office. • You may pay by cash or check in person at the AAM Villa @ The Troika or cash deposit to the AAM’s bank account directly. If you wish to deposit cash payments to the AAM’s bank account, please contact the AAM office for account information and instructions (your bank may charge you a minimal fee for this service). • We cannot accept credit card payments at the office. We are currently working on details to secure an on-line payment system for your convenience. Further information to come.
Cancellation Policy
• Reservations MUST be cancelled FIVE BUSINESS DAYS prior to the activity in order to received a refund. If you do not cancel your reservation within this time period or you are a no-show the day of the Event/Activity, a refund will not be issued. • For Events/Activities that have a required minimum attendance, AAM reserves the right to cancel or reschedule when circumstances warrant. • Each Event/Activity will have a sign up deadline date and we must adhere to those dates. This allows instructors of classes to gather all required materials or tour companies to arrange the proper transportation for our group. • If you still have not made payment by the reservation deadline for an Event/Activity, your name will be automatically removed from the sign-up sheet and there will be no further correspondence from the AAM office. To avoid disappointment, please make your payment within 48 hours of making your reservation.
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KL American September 2016
A Letter from the President….. As I started to say on page 4, The Board of Directors has made the decision to close the AAM office effective 30 November, 2016. This date marks the end of our two-year lease on our current unit at the Troika. We did have a one-year option on the space but we have chosen not to exercise this going forward. There are several factors that have led to our decision to close the office and I want to outline those factors below: 1. Dwindling membership numbers. As of the date of writing this letter, our membership currently sits under 90 member families. When we moved to the Troika back in December of 2014 our membership numbers were nearly double this amount. Of course, with the drop in membership numbers there is a drop of membership dues, which help contribute to our bottom line for income. 2. Corporate Partnership dollars were down significantly this year continuing a trend we have seen over the past two years. This is another area that effects our income when our Corporate Partners cut back on their contributions to us. When our Corporate Partners have to cut costs to watch their bottom line, it affects us as well. 3. Overhead. Going forward and taking in to consideration the top two reasons shown above, the cost of maintaining our office creates additional overhead costs. Even after cutting back significantly, salaries, rent, utilities, and other expenses still cost the AAM over RM150,000+ per year. The largest contributor to this is rent at RM96,000. Over the summer, Ann Blacklock and myself spent some time with our agent looking at other rental spaces just outside of the city center. We found a house that would perfectly suit our associations needs and even had ample free parking. However, we felt that the time wasn’t right for moving in to another rental property and thought that decision was better made by the incoming board next year based on membership and income. According to our constitution, after serving as president for two years, I can no longer continue in the role. Since our AGM won’t be held until March of 2017, we didn’t want to commit to a one or two year lease on behalf of the next Board of Directors. We hope that our members understand the reasons why we have made the decisions we have and that you support us moving forward. The AAM is one of the few expat associations that has an office so I am confident we can continue to provide the same level of service to our members without the office. Over the next couple of months, I will continue to share with you how we will design the AAM to continue to function starting in December without an office. Until then, I invite you to send me any questions or comments you may have. I would also ask our members to get involved as it takes volunteers to keep this association going and providing our members an avenue to meet fellow expats while alsogiving back to the community we live in. We can be proud of the influence and contributions we continue to make to this community. Sincerely,
US EMBASSY We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Malaysia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://www. travel.state.gov/. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the embassy or nearest consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak 50400, Kuala Lumpur and is open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are a U.S. citizen and have any questions or concerns, please call the U.S. Embassy at (03) 2168-5000 or visit the U.S. Citizens Service website at http:// malaysia.usembassy.gov/. We will post the most updated information on the website. USEFUL LINKS: CountyOffice.org is the most accurate internet database of county government offices in the United States. Use our site to locate your county assessor, board of elections, chamber of commerce, child support offices, colleges, coroner, courts, and much more, with all relevant details.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCY POLICE......................................................................999 FIRE & RESCUE.........................................................999 CIVIL DEFENSE.........................................................999 ANY EMERGENCIES FROM MOBILE PHONE............112 UTILITIES... ELECTRICITY/POWER FAILURE............................ 15454 WATER DISRUPTION................................1800 88 5252 SEWAGE SYSTEM.....................................03 2780 1100 OPERATOR DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES............................................100 ANIMALS MISSING PETS..........................................03 4021 1682 SNAKES & PESTS......................................03 4042 6742 ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER. (24 HRS.).....03 4041 6742
Peggy Uptigrove President KL American September 2016
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american association of malaysia KL
September 2016
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thu
AAM Office Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009
AAM Villa @ The Troika
email: klamerican.info@gmail.com
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5
1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
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Sat
2
1 VENUE KEY
Fri 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. First Friday @ Harrods Cafe @ KLCC
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6:30 p.m. Midnight Rug Auction/ Hotel Istana
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10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
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9
10
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6:00 p.m. Gentlemen’s Night Out TAPAS Beer Bar
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12 OFFICE CLOSED Hari Raya Qurban
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10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Coffee Morning Travel Talk
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10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Bingo @ Little Sisters of the Poor
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11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Lunch Bunch / ABC
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10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
PUBLIC HOLIDAY Malaysia Day
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10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
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7:00 p.m. Midnight Welcome Back Shrimp Crawfish Boil
1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
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1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Mahjong
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Subang Jaya Medical Centre
For enquireies, please call -
+603 5639 1212
10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Stitching Friends
Ara Damansara Medical Centre
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SALE 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
ParkCity Medical Centre
1, Jalan SS12/1A, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Lot 2, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Seksyen U2, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor
No.2, Jalan Intisari Perdana, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in
Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in
Your Family-friendly Hospital aiming to be a regional leader in the specialties of
• Cancer • Blood Diseases • Digestive & Liver Health
• Brain • Heart • Spine & Joints
• Women • Children • Elderly Health
or email -
mcu@ramsaysimedarbyhealth.com
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KL American September 2016
www.ramsaysimedarby.asia
KL American September 2016
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(60-3) 5565 2200 KL American September 2016
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