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 :(