Im a junior doctor!

Is officially a doctor!
And, is probably packing my bags for Singapore ... for good?

绝望

狂叫，狂哭后，还得硬着头皮挨下去！

天啊。。。

Stay calm and Plod on.

信。

Less than 1 week to Judgement Day(s).
All I can do now is to cram ... and believe that I am safe enough to be let lose on the wards (and that the medschool think so too).

Bumblebee dog.

Every hero needs a bumblebee. 

I need him NOW! 

Walking on a Tightrope

This is what i feel like every single day. 

I can wait for it to be over. 

And have I mentioned that despite being in my twenties, I still get about 10 moments in a day where I feel like an awkward teen thinking about what socially apt, considerate stuff I should say to not make people judge me (Unfortunately, I have come to realise that I have reached the age I am judged for how I look and for all my actions.), especially in stressful times like this . 

The awkward moment you realise you probably have a late mental puberty. 

Diary of a Medical Student

I'm sure every medic can relate to this. Well, at least I can. 

I love my job (to be).

Its such a nice feeling to see that this cartoon resonates with me.
Makes all these revision worthwhile!

(If not for the fact that Im pressured to need to pass, revision can be fun!)

Cute Stuff.

1. Pikachu Hoodies 

This Pikachu Hoodie is really incredibly cute, esp the tail! 

Though I can imagine it must be rather uncomfortable to be leaning/ sitting on.  

2. Cookie Monster Cupcakes 

Arent these incredibly cute as well? Does any one have any suggestions on what I can substitute coconut shavings (not a fan of coconut myself) for and yet still get this texture?  

3. Owning the Avengers Cartoon 

I gotta give it to this artist. I didnt know chibi Avengers can be so cute. Esp Hulk! :) 

Procrastination

I have been incredibly distracted from work recently.
Not sure if its due to my flu or that Im just too distracted by skype or planning my family's holiday.

Anyway, I have more or less sorted out my family holiday in Europe: London- Iceland- Copenhagen- Nice/ Monaco- London. 
Hopefully, it would suit everyone's tastes (and physical activity level). And I have lined up some pretty good restaurants (Incl Gordon Ramsay and Waterside Inn) for the family to try in London!

Speaking of which, I have a massive craving for Burgers and Lobster nowwww.

Panic Attack +++

This is totally what Im feeling about medicine finals at the moment.  

Too little time and So freaking much to learn. 

And the best thing is, I dont even know whats in the syllabus.  

Wait ... I just forgot Im doing medicine, is there even a syllabus?! 

Freedom can wait, I'm staying put for Dad.

I'm not sure if there's a copyright to the above article, but would love to share it as i find that it really is a beautifully written and poignant article.

Things have changed a tremendous amount since I left Singapore 5y ago. The kids have grown up, the adults grown old and the elderly ... moved on. I guess its time to go home and say hello :D

Banana Coffee Muffins ((:

Im waiting for my favourite cake recipe to emerge from the oven at the moment.

This is really the easiest comfort food to make (ideal during revision time)- It took no more than 30-45mins (even less with an electric whisk) to prepare!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

250g butter

3 eggs

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups self-raising flour

Method:

Cream together butter and sugar with whisk

Whisk in eggs

Mix in bananas. (± honey, cinnamon, coffee powder)

Mix in flour

Bake at 180C for 45min/until skewer comes out clean

Things to do in London

Things I have to remember to do after exams:

1. Visit British Museum

2. Visit Tate Britain for the Picasso Exhibition

3. Watch Les Mis ... again

4. Take a nice long walk in Hyde Park

5. Visit the Natural History Museum

6. Have a nice meal at Gordon Ramsay Royal Hospital Road

7. Visit tower bridge ... again

8. Do the Harry Potter Tour

9. Visit Buckingham Palace

10. Visit the National Gallery

And if I have the luxury of time, I would ...

1. Go back to St Paul's & Tate Modern

2. Visit Greenwich + Royal Observatory

3. Attend a play at the Shakespeare Globe ... again

4. Visit Kew Gardens

5. Go back to Brick Lane on a Sunday

Good Food Places in London

Suddenly had this idea to list down some of the good food places I have been to:

1. One O One, South Kensington

2. Joel Robuchon, Soho

3. Orrery, Marylebone

4. Soho/ South Kensington Creperie

5. Food for Thought, Covent Garden

6. Riding House Cafe, Riding House Street

7. De Martino, Great Portland Street

8. Salt Yard, Charlotte Street

9. Pied a Terre, Charlotte Street

10. Hakkasan, Tottenham Court Road

11. Han Gang, Tottenham Court Road (So-So, but still worth mentioning)

12. L'eto Cafe, Soho

13. JW Steakhouse, JW Marriot/ Park Lane

14. Orangery, Hyde Park

15. Prufrock, Chancery Lane

16. Oddono's Gelato, South Kensington/ Selfridges

17. Arirang, Oxford Street/ Soho

18. Lantana, Charlotte Street

19. Gauthier, Soho (So-So, but still worth mentioning)

20. Roka, Charlotte Street

21. Kyashii, Leicester Sq/ Covent Garden

22. Roux at the Landau, Portland Place (So-So, but still worth mentioning)

23. Monmouth Coffee, Covent Garden/ Borough Market

24. Launceston Place, South Kensington

25. Fino, Charlotte Street

Will continue the list at some point again. But this is already making me droool.

A little insight

Recently as finals near, everyone seem to be getting incredibly stressed and slightly off. Understandable of course. I really wished I could do something about it to help them feel better. Not that I haven't tried, but it seems like there's probably nothing that can make them feel better really :(

I then spoke to another friend about it yesterday- someone in my group, someone older and someone who probably has seen more of this world than I have. What he said struck me hard. I was told that given my background and past records I have probably not failed any exams (major ones at least) which accounts for my confidence. Moreover in med school, I appear to be doing better than them results wise, even tho they may not necessarily study any less than me. And of course, its only understandable that they would feel more stressed and unhappy. I really haven't thought of things this way- I didn't know that I've this effect on people. It actually affects me slightly that they think it that way, cos when I look at my mates, I see these amazing people that take my breath away. People who are so incredibly talented and all rounded and ridiculously smart and nice. They are people whom I feel so blessed to have in my life.

I guess, all I can do is to just pretend I know of none of these and stop being so nosy.

A whole new perspective.

I went for KTV with my fave bunch of medics the other day at Camden Town and was taught by the (humsup) boys to see things from a whole new light.

Try substituting "eyes" with "legs" in "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. And it changes from a G to a RA I swear.

But still a good laugh anyways (: Enjoy! x

Spring's here, rejoice!

There's a couple of things to rejoice about.

1. I am incredibly happy to be back at Barnet, to be finally doing some hospital medicine, seeing pts or just doing practical procedures. To be back in the company of Mike, Mark, Jean and Carmen amongst all my other friends. And Im actually really starting to love all the people here and i think im actually going to be sad when I have to leave.

2. Spring is here. The weather is beautiful, temperatures just nice and there is sun for most part of the day!

3. Kiki is finally back home!

4. And im making full use of online shopping before I head back to Singapore :P

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me!

With the sun streaming in and Yes 933 playing in the background and sipping instant kopi (from home), I really cant ask for anything more can I? (:

Birthday celebrations had actually started a couple of days back, when my mum was still in town for a couple of days. We had a beautiful meal at one o one, which really is one of the best seafood restaurants in London (the scallop and pork starter is one not to be missed), and I was surprised with a little velvet cupcake from Lola's! My really sweet mum insisted I needed to have a cake just so I could blow out candles and make wishes.

Except for the slightly gloomy and wet London weather, I have a beautiful time yesterday as well. And I must say, the revelry in the streets thanks to St Pat's Day sure did make everything more fun and celebratory.

The boys brought me to a pub somewhere in Chancery Lane which really was no better way to start St Pat's Day and also we made our point that there's no time too early to start on a pint :P We had a sinful pub lunch at this nice quaint pub, Cittie of York, which serves a large selection of Sam Smith beers and ciders amongst many other drinks. Its a pretty large pub means that it makes a perfect friday night gathering spot after work, esp if you dont have any bookings and they have little booths that sits around 4 if you value some privacy for small group gatherings.

We then migrated to Prufrock, a coffee place along Leather Lane, who stars an award winning barista and coffee from square mile roast. They do no-frills, well-done coffee and you have a choice of filter coffee, espresso or espresso with milk. I had the espresso with milk and I must say its really one of the best coffee I have ever had- the coffee was smooth and slightly on the bitter side, without the acidic after taste. And it was like caffeine +++ and really did set my heart racing for a while. I would have liked my coffee slightly warmer though, but I think its just my very own personal preference (: The shop also had a really nice, hippie and friendly vibe to it, everyone there was incredibly friendly and you are allowed to sit there for as long as you like. And we did- sitting there discussing ethics and life and silly things. Also, for people who needs sweets to go along with their coffee, they also had a small selection of pastries from cheese cakes to brownies that would complement your coffee very nicely I believe.

Dinner was impromptu, but nice. Bring on spontaneity anytime!

I ended up letting K bring me out to a Japanese restaurant, Kyashii, at Upper St Martin's Lane near Leicester Square. The ambience there was really nice with plush white seats and large glass windows on the lounge level whilst the restaurant areas downstairs and upstairs had large long polished black corridors, with random private rooms and dining areas branching out from it. It kinda reminded me of the W hotel in Leicester Square. This place not only looks good but tastes good too. The sushis were well done- exquisitely made with a relatively generous portion and the Udon hotpot sure satisfied my cravings (: Moreover, with toptable you may just be able to snag yourself a good deal! (We had 40% off our bill which was great!)

Time for a shower, and to enjoy the sun!

10 things I will miss about London

As Spring approaches and London gets increasingly more beautiful by the day, the idea that (should I pass my finals which I very much hope so) I'm leaving here possibly for good is starting to sink in. It makes me sad, but yet I'm happy that I have spent some of the most formative years of my life in this amazing city. London has taught me an incredible amount of stuff, shown me so much, and shaped me in a way I never expected (be it for good or bad).

10 things I'm going to miss about London:

1. Good Food- from like really good Michelin Starred quality food, to world- class coffee, affordable yummy crepes and those cook-outs we have to recreate the dishes we miss from home

2. Cheap Cocktails- Yes, Im a convert. Im no longer a teetotal. Bring on that sexy lychee martini, peach bellini and my all time favourite (white) sangria

3. UCL- I will miss cruciform and that beautiful main building that never fails to take my breath away be it in winter or summer.

4. UCLH, Whittington and even, Barnet- Yes, the memories I have here may not be all hunky dory, rosy and good. But these are the places that have motivated a very lazy peish to work hard(er) because I have met people (colleagues, seniors, consultants and even patients) who have changed me tremendously. I want to be a great doctor, hopefully in both the eyes of my bosses, my friends, my patients and finally myself. I want to do more than just my job, I want to look forward to it daily, to remain incredibly excited about all the possibilities in my career and in my life and I want to remain true to myself. Hopefully, Singapore can maintain, if not better, this spark that my medical education here has fueled in me.

5. Online shopping (and free returns)- Speaks for itself. Shopping and trying on clothes in the comfort of your own home? Who can resist it. Plus I will no longer have free next day asos deliveryyy!!

6. Musicals, Plays and the likes- I am not arty, farty at all. But yes, coming here has changed me that slightly bit in that I will get incredibly excited about a new show on Shakespeare Globe, a new Picasso exhibit or new play. Yes, everyone loves musical and I count my blessings that I have West End just a stone's throw away.

7. Europe at my back door, and budget airlines to make travelling to these places possible- Europe is fascinating. The rich culture, the beautiful architectures and the good food (and occasionally, hunks). I havent had the chance to explore much of Europe, but I doubt 1 lifetime is enough really. At least, next time I have SEA, Japan/Korea and Aussieland to entertain me.

8. Conferences, Talks and the chances to be part of cutting edge research- The academics here inspire me tremendously. Not just medics but people from all fields, from global health epidemiologists to statisticians. People here are incredibly passionate and proud of their work, and many of these people have such great lofty (I mean this in a positive way) dreams. Many of them also have a good heart- one that constantly seeks to make life just a little more beautiful for someone else. I always feel incredibly privileged to be listening to them share about their work, to hear about their dreams and to learn about what our world is going to be in for. I will truly miss my ready access to these critical care, trauma, surgical, international health, HIV conferences.

9. Friends- From new found coursemate/schoolmate friends (especially all my yellow mates) and ex- flatmates to old friends who are planning to stay here, I dont even want to think how I would behave when I have to say my goodbyes.

10. Flat 313 and Kiki- Yes Kiki warrants an entry all to herself. Indeed, she is heading to Singapore with me, but really, its gonna be different when are back with family and (old) friends.

Spring (:

The weather in London has been oh-so-glorious and it really is making me so ridiculously happy, and dreading my return to Singapore (if i get to graduate). Except in UK, no where in the world can the weather get strangers start talking and let awkward friends keep the conversation going on.

Yes, the weather in London makes me love her or hate her. Winter and the cold is just very very miserable- it makes me homesick, sleepy, moody and gives me all sorts of skin problems. But when its spring (or summer or autumn really), I feel like an energizer bunny who can conquer the world. I think everything I see is beautiful and get so excited about the little things that I can do. I suddenly have lots of optimism and lots of wonderful plans about what I want to do and I just cant stop smilingggg!

I think Spring is inching her way into the life of us Londoners, dont be shy, come out quick! I cant wait to spend time with you, afterall I only have 4more months here :(

2 weeks in GpLand.

The past 2 weeks in GPLand has been torture. Having to sit through baby immunizations, hypertension checks and asthma reviews is painful. And compounded onto it, my GPLand fellow sufferer and I feel like intruders in this place, not to mention that we have gone through half our posting without having met our supervisor at all. Brilliant, and this is supposed to be the posting that consolidates our learning in primary care.

Sitting in GP consultations like this makes me extremely frustrated for a multitude of reasons-

1. Im not learning much for finals/ for life as a junior doctor. Very self- centered reason, but really, doctors should not agree to take on students if they dislike teaching. Also, having 2 students in the same consultation room, taking turns to clerk pts and present is highly inefficient.

2. The GP here only sees about 6h of patients each day (3h in the morning and 3h in the evening). This probably makes us doctors less hardworking than the average office worker who works 8h/day. 2h lunch breaks are too long (1h is more than sufficient), and more doctors (and nurses) should be seeing patients till late- in my opinion 10pm ideally (so that working people dont have to take time out to see the doctor for routine stuff). Shift work can be arranged if necessary (ie. If doctors arent prepared to work too long hours), so doctors work the same number of hours but the surgery is open for longer. And clinics should be open during weekends! I dont think we were really made to NOT fall sick on weekends at all.

3. Basic investigations such as blood tests and ECGs should be available at GP clinics (its almost ridiculous that pts travel down to the hosp just for a ECG). Ideally, there should be an onsite phleb/ nurse to do this throughout the whole day. This will defo save the NHS loads of resources and poor elderly pts the trouble to travel all the way down to the hospital.

4. GPs are meant to manage the pt holistically and to know their pts really well. In reality, not at all the case- pts see a different doctor each time, have only 10mins so can only discuss 1 issue at a time: he cannot have back pain, poor diabetes control, depression and urinary symptoms at the same time. This will probably take him 4-8wks to sort out all issues.

During times like this, I feel like Im ready to move home. Im afterall brought up the asian way- kancheong and being efficient is important +++. I just hope, I wont ever lose the idealism I have for medicine.

Weekend in Paris

I just had the most epic weekend in Paris with the boys.

It was just the perfect way to celebrate the end of the module. It was really an amazing trip with 2 very very awesome butlers who are incredibly accommodating, sweet and organized. And Im also grateful for the beautiful weather whilst we were there- Paris is a place that can only beautiful if there is sun (and even more so if you can speak french).

I had so much fun shopping (Im kinda feeling slightly guilty for having the boys accompany me), stuffing my face full of good food and just catching up with them in general.

I spent most of Day 1 bag shopping (its literally possible for girls to go bankrupt in paris) and food shopping at Lafayette Gallaries.

Dinner on day 1 at Le Bon Bock was beautiful. It was the oldest restaurant in Montmatre (as they claim), and just at the backyard of our hotel. With a 40% off the bill deal we managed to get on toptable, the dinner was really well worth it. 3 course meal with wine for 30euros per person. I tried escargots for the first time, and quite liked it. Duck foie gras was good and Granny's onion soup was simple and yet delicious in a simple homely way. My main Duck Confit was slightly on the salty side but still really well done. The roasted potatoes that came on the side was really the best I have ever had!

We took a stroll in the Montmatre region after- visited Moulin Rouge but gave the cabaret show a miss. We ended up in Sexodrome, the biggest sex shop on the road (basically the whole street was lined with sex shops). I swear I was getting stares when I walked in, but I guess doing medicine kinda desensitize me in some way and having been exposed to a more liberal POV ever since I studied in London, I didnt feel all too uncomfortable in there. In fact, I was probably either more amused (and many a times, disgusted) at the kinda products they had inside.

We started Day 2 by taking stroll up sacre coeur and enjoying the view of paris from up there. Well worth the exhausting climb up I must say (: We headed to notre dame after that and there was where I brought the boys to try all the crepes and kebabs and berthillon ice cream (we were too full to have a go at Grom, Italy's best gelato) that C had brought me to when I visited last easter. Im glad they loved it. We also visited Pierre Hermes after, and dapao-ed a whole lot of pastries and macarons. How can anyone resist an isphahan no?

Dinner was at dorr and it was the best meal of the trip. The waiter made great recommendations- I loved my started of crab meat with salad and home-made mayo and mains of prawns cooked with a slight asian twist. The bottle of white wine which he recommended was also great. I must admit that starting the meal with the complimentary champagne wasnt the best idea though but at least, I didnt let the boys get me too drunk.

Now that this amazing weekend has ended, its time for me to hit the books and hit the gym. Shed the pounds and stuff the medicine into my head.

But I really am going to miss UK and Europe when I leave.

Bye a&e! :)

Last day at Barnet a&e and it really did end beautifully! Just when I've started to know the people here and grow attached to this place, it's time to move on.
I don't quite like goodbyes.

On a chirpier note, the boys have sorted out a holiday in Paris for me! Looking forward to shopping and Pierre Hermes! :) And possibly Disneyland if they let me have things my way ...

Lazy sat morning.

It's a lazy Saturday morning, and I had to force myself to roll out of bed cos I had this nagging thought in my head to get all the heart murmurs right. Zzz.

At least, I've got lovely people visiting me from Singapore now. Awesome ones who would clean the house for me and cook awesome stuff and of course, they've brought all the yummies from home I missed during cny.

London is really getting too cold for me liking. Subzero is not acceptable at all.
At least there is the sun, the glorious sun in this city always makes the day sooooo beautiful!

Enfield for GP is depressing much :(

Im going to be posted to Enfield for gp which is depressing because it means 1plus hours of travelling on the train and 16pds for transport per day :(

And I've just received news from seniors working back home in Singapore that they are all jaded and willing to quit their jobs.

What a start to the day. At least, I'm glad I'm doing a&e now, any more surgery and I will actually stab myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually excluding surgery from my back up plan list (in fact urology ranks ye highest now) but as a medical student, I just dont quite enjoy it as many other specialties. Too much standing around, and too little explanation on what is going on.

Also, happy birthday to my dearest daddy today! He's the best one in the world :))

A moment's whim.

I have this sudden urge to want to drop everything Im doing and jet off somewhere to learn all about coffee.

Like take 6months out of my life, and be a coffee expert's protege- To learn about the different types of coffee, how to tell good coffee from bad ones and how to brew a beautiful cup.

I love coffee- the taste, the aroma and that charm that a barrister executes a heavenly cup of coffee. And i only wish i knew more about it.

Celebrating CNY in my 2nd home :)

Alcohol has a negative effect on me and yet time and time again I choose to succumb to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not addicted to it, neither do I get pissed drunk and in fact I do have an okay-ish tolerance for a girl. But for some strange reason I get 1. Insomnia if I drink too much and 2. Some sort of weird hangover the next day with dull feeling my head and a general lack of concentration for the full day. Yet, I can't quite resist it when my mates keep pouring for me. Peer pressure! Maybe, I know myself to be someone who yields readily.

Steamboat dinner round 3 with the medics was great, despite the twist of events towards the end as everyone got progressively emo when they got drunk. I don't blame them tho since many are still nursing difficult heartbreaks or unrequited love. But once in a while, I think it's good that we could let our guards down :) after all it's the new year, and with that amazing hot pot and countless bottles of beer, whiskey and wine, it's time to start it afresh and with gusto with the family we have here. Indeed, because of these amazing people, London has become a home away from home for me. Although I plan to head back cos I don't quite like working here, I think I'm really going to miss living here- the people most of all, the freedom and London's unique beauty.

Blogging on the go!

Finally got myself blogger on the go which would be a great way for me to collect my thoughts about the day as I head to/ back from Barnet.

The Barnet posting has been a disappointment thus far. I think maybe cos I have been (unfairly) comparing it to my time in a&e Singapore. I hate the inefficiency here and the fact that there isn't much structured teaching at all. This is especially worrying considering that finals are not far away.

I know I would have alot to complain when I get back to Singapore, as everyone has been warning me. The upside of this would be that my firm has been the best thus far. All the people I like best from all my previous firms are now here with me!

It's steamboat round 2 for us yellow medics today at mine, and I'm sure it's gonna be a beautiful feast again! Yay :))

Train is reaching Barnet, ta!

Sodagreen!

I knew I always had a weakness for anything green (:

Their songs can really calm me down!

Suck it up and Plod on.

A book well worth getting.

It sure did put a smile on my face when I couldnt stop sighing.

Happy Chinese New Year?

Its Chinese New Year celebration over the weekend and I have decided to give myself time off this weekend to just fully enjoy it. I know I have a whole host of activities lined up- steamboat dinner tomorrow, dinner at Min Jiang on Sunday followed by yet another steamboat dinner next sat. If not for the fact that Im so tired after I come back from barnet everyday and that I feel this nagging pressure to start revision for finals (although i really just collapse when I reach home at night anyway and get no work done), I think I will defo be having alot more dinners than this.

Celebrations involve me trying to do all my laundry (nothing beats nice soft bedsheets and towels), cleaning up all the dishes, preparing for tomorrow's steamboat dinner (marinating meat, steaming rice and making bubble tea + sending the boys to C-town to get stuff/ K to billingsgate for seafood), hoovering & mopping the whole house and restocking all the toiletries and necessities in the house. A clean household would definitely make me so much happier :D

I dont think I miss spending CNY in Singapore, but because it is a time of reunion, it reminds me doubly of the people I miss so much back at home. Unlike most people, I have totally gotten over missing the bak kwa, pineapple tarts and other chinese new year goodies or Singaporean food in general. An awesome plate of pasta can probably make me incredibly happy too. But, its the yearning for the company of certain special people back in that beautiful island country that I find it hard to deal with.

At least, I have a nice group of people whom I really do hold dear to my heart to spend it with me this year (:

So as Anne Frank said, I shall: Think of all the beautiful things around me and be happy!

大家新年快乐！

Gasps.

It suddenly dawned upon me (again) that I have sh*tloads to do for MBBS finals and Im totally not ready.

I cant do OSCEs, I dont know my theory well and Im not sure if I can be a half-decent junior doctor, not hated by my peers and despised by my consultants.

And Im so annoyed that I need so much sleep :( I wish i could function on less than 5h a day.

Freezing London

I really cant wait for Friday to come.

1. Its finally going to be sunny and less cold (sub-zero weather is not fun at all).

2. Im going to be seeing Lily and Prisc for dinner at (hopefully) Fire and Stone Pizza. Have been wanting to check out that place since forever.

3. Its tuesday and I feel like I need a break from work. I suspect its one of those days, and as a female I suppose Im entitled to one of these days once in a while. Thank god for great friends like M who would wait for my shift to end and bring me for korean just to make me feel slightly better.

4. And its C's birthday! That is afterall something worth celebrating!

Alright, keep calm and suck it up. Plod on!

Procrastination.

I need to go to the gym.

I need to finish reading my surgery notes.

I need to do case of the month.

I need to clean up the house and do laundry.

I need to renew my library books and pay fines ... again.

I need to mail gifts off.

I probably just need to watch less tv and sleep less and go out less.

Ah, now and then its good to stop in the pursuit of happiness and just be happy ... and probably regret it later.

But thats youth for you, making mistakes, being sore about it now and laughing about it later.

Cheers Henri!

Henri is back, and he is as amazing as ever!

Lets just hope that he will stay for more than 2months (: Come on, Arsenal is where you should be!

Final Sem in London Week 1

First week back in London and Im adjusting again ...

Adjusting to the fact that I:

1. Need to do my own laundry, meals and shopping.

2. Need to travel to hospital myself, chugging along slowly on the tube and have no one to send me back at the end of a long tiring day. (Although michael my new best friend has very kindly given a couple of lifts so far.)

3. Dont have someone waiting for me at the end of the day, someone to just listen to me share about my mundane day or just sit with me and watch TV.

4. Dont have good hot hawker food for lunch and supper. And all sorts of yummy asian food easily within reach.

5. Dont have such a great mentor at work who inspires me in all sorts of way- work ethics, clinical acumen and his compassion for patients.

6. NEED TO START STUDYING FOR MBBS.

Despite the whole long list of moans and whines, I am still glad to be back in London. I have a love hate relationship with London- I think she is beautiful but yet, sometimes I hate the way she can be so temperamental and get so gloomy at times. I love the fact that there are so many places to explore in London, so many exciting activities to do and things see and yet hate the fact that 'cept for partying and clubbing (which I dont do much) and possibly a chinatown meal there isnt much to do at night. I like the way no one ever snaps at me for being slow and incompetent and yet I absolutely hate the inefficiency here (compared to Singapore). I really do miss the fast- paced lifestyle in Singapore, and yet I just find it so difficult keep up with the rest back home. I love the freedom I have here but I dislike the additional responsibilities and ... miss the people back home terribly.

I guess, the best thing to do now is to really enjoy the remaining 7 months in London. And then head back home ... finally. Hopefully then, I would be missing London but not complaining about wishing to be back in London instead.

Back in London.

Back in London.

Time to start mugging for MBBS.

Surprisingly, I'm relieved to be back here. And, at least the weather is tolerable.

Wish me luck that my mentor at Barnet would be as good as alvin!