Of Xmas and Boxing Day 2011.

I had the most beautiful xmas ever this year (:

Im so thankful that this year not only did I get 2 nights at MBS, loads of good food but I also spent it with such a lovely bunch of people.

MBS was amazing, I love the toilet there. Judge me, but I judge how awesome a place is based on their toilets and MBS is definitely up there in terms of that. I like the fact that there is a shower and a bath tub (it was oh so shiok soaking in it), a separate door for the loo (so when someone else poo- poos, the smell can be contained within) and separate sinks for couples to brush their teeth/prim themselves at the same time. Little things that goes a long way to making the stay more pleasant. The room was pretty nice, not like out of this world but defo 5 star standard at least. Afterall it is a new hotel and new things are always nice. The staff were surprisingly helpful and friendly- happy to provide us with a table and ice and knife and all sorts of funny requests we had. Also, they sent up the cleaning team at 8pm for us (cos we were just lazing in the room for the whole morning) when we asked for it, without any hints of irritation.

Of course, what makes good celebration is always the people. Spending it with the Losers (my sec 3/4 clique) just made the whole stay memorable. Loads of heart to heart talks and catching up and even more loser stories and laughter. Plus this time Huien the lumpsy was back from Aussieland to attend one of her mate's hen's party (gosh people are starting to get married). Xmas eve dinner was also joined by may (a very unlikely friend considering we have personalities world's apart) and mindy and monica who cant stop quarreling with each other. Of course with my family and cousins and some of my brother's friends (kids who really make me laugh). So it was really one nice big gathering!

Now, post- Xmas ... BOXING DAY SALES START! Apparently, its been crazy in London this year, with record breaking sales and a fatal stabbing along Oxford Street. Of course, I have to join in the fun (not in the stabbing), even if im not physically in London. I have scoured through the websites of Topshop, Warehouse, F21, Dorothy Perkins, Ms Selfridge, Selfridges etc and managed to nab quite a few pieces for pretty good prices. Looking forward to them greeting me when I head back to London on New Year's Day. Shopping in Singapore is really getting way to expensive nowadays. I just cant afford anything locally! :( If there is one thing im gonna miss from London, it would be online shopping ... and freedom of course.

But really, its time to come back home. Better to be rough it out when you are younger than later yes?

New Year's coming .. its time to make some resolutions.

I think I shall give up on the whole dieting business this year since it hasnt worked .. since I was 15 maybe?

A week wasted.

I feel immensely guilty that all I have been doing for the past few days are eat, sleep and ... eat outside. Or watch shows on my computer and whatsapp.

I have about 1 wk left in singapore, and Im dreading it so much this time- because there are so many people I would like to have more time with, so many food which I havent had the time to have, and so many things which I would like to do ... and finally, so much work which needs to be done when I get back to London. And this time, with Kiki not around, its going to be pretty lonely (oh so lonely) for me in that empty apartment. Hopefully, I would be distracted by the work and stress of MBBS

And of course, this year, I have chinese new year to look forward to, cos some of the Losers are flying over to spend it with me ... true friends indeed (not tt they did it purely for me). Sadly, CNY has lost its appeal altogether for me- as an older friend told me, Im going to come back to have loads of people asking me "Have you brought your bf home?", "When are you getting married?", "Oh, you must earn alot as a doctor. How much do you earn?" Seriously. And of course, how much I have put on since I left singapore.
Moreover, now I really dont need CNY to see my grandparents and my cousins, they organise so many gatherings that Im more in the loop with their lives now than in the past (when i used to see them once a year).
Of course, with Facebook, everyone knows whats going on in each other's lives (which is a double edged sword since it can be dangerous with malicious relatives too). And having been away for so long, Im starting to appreciate all these little time I have with my family and Im starting to make the effort to go down to visit my grandparents whenever I can. Its scary how much things have changed in 5 years for me- I've mellowed, what I want and what I think is important have all changed as well.

I am looking forward to coming back to Singapore, but I know Im going to complain and cry and whine about missing London and wishing I was back there again. But hopefully, I would be strong enough to suck it up and plod on ... without being jaded and bitter.

Xmas plans!

Its 3 days to Xmas, and Im starting to feel the excitement!

Im currently planning an Xmas eve party at MBS (thanks to my parents for giving me a room all to myself) for some of my friends. The dinner menu is starting to look more exciting ...

1. Starters- Old Chang Kee curry puffs, squid head etc (Good ol' Singaporean faves. I would ideally like to get the curry puffs from A1 at Taka, but its too much of a hassle to go all the way down there that morning.)

2. Greens- Salad/ Asparagus (Lovingly tossed/ made by May)

3. Bailey's Chicken Wings (Im really looking forward to this alco twist of one of my fave foods ... again by May)

4. Mains- Pizzas from Timbre (Hopefully the duck pizza is as good as they all make it out to be.)

5. Dessert- Ice cream Log Cake from Swensen's (Probably the most chrismassy item on the menu.)

6. Drinks- Diet coke, green tea ... and maybe I should bring in the vodka (which would go well with both coke and green tea.) and fix some sangria as well! (Since i still dont know how to make mulled wine.)

And probably loads of mineral water to get through a potential AI (alcohol intoxication).

I was just wondering if I should throw in some german sausages (but i would make the menu so protein laden which I dont think us girls would fancy so much).

And fruits would probably be a good idea as well ... maybe I could fix a fruit salad yay!

Of course, there would be snacks for us to nibble on through the night and loads of silly games and of course... CARDS!

I think its time for me fix up an Xmas playlist on my Mac now!

Finding joy in things mundane.

Ive decided to spend some time with mom today, after making her upset yesterday (we both refused to back down on our stand on 体罚 for kids). Its good too, cos she is going for the Robinson's Sale at expo and I might possibly just manage to find myself some jewels in the mess there. And subtly try to make up for yesterday, cos Im just too proud to say sorry (and so is she, it runs in the blood im sure).

I had such a wonderful night yesterday with 2 of my besties, Ernie and Lily. Dinner was with Ernie and Greg who brought me to Santouki at Cuppage Plaza for Ramen and gosh, it now stands as my fave ramen in singapore (i like it more than ippudo yes) cos the charsiew there is oh-so-yummy and the egg is like flowy and orgasmically goood! Greg had to leave for a conference call after, but its cool cos I get to spend some girl time with Ernie and Lily who joined us eventually. It was girls activities after-- gossiping over ice-cream (cold stone is gorgeous, gotta love the cake batter man!) and shopping (have to say it still cant compare to London though, and its sooo expensive in singapore nowadays).

I guess you tend to appreciated things so much more when they are scarce- this is only my second night out since Ive started my attachment at SGH!

Lazy day.

I have 1 whole day off today and I dont know what to do with myself. Technically, I had 1.5days off, but I KO-ed for 20h after night take last night.

Should I stay in and do some reading for finals, go into ED and learn more stuff (and since my MO is on locum duty anyways, i could technially follow him around), go shopping (i need to get presents and more clothes) & get my brows done (they havent been touched for months i think) or just stay home and do lazy things like nap and waste my life away online.

Its my flatmate's big day today. No, she is not getting married ('cos that would prbly be alot less stressful than this) but is taking her USMLE. Hope it goes well for her!

Okay, it has just started pouring outside so I guess, i'm gonna stay in since mum doesnt have the car to fetch me around today. And, weve just had a little tiff about caning children (she still strongly believes in it), so Im not sure if she would be happy being my chauffeur.

Zzz, what a lazy day (:

Happy Bunny!

Im bursting with happiness and joy now even though nothing major or different has happened to me. I have just been going to work (which takes up 80% of my life now really), meeting up with the random few friends, speaking to others on whatsapp or online occasionally and having the occasional dinner with my family. Its really ridiculous that such mundane things are making me so happy Im bouncing off the walls most of the time. Im starting to wonder where all these endorphins came from.

Christmas is coming soon- have you guys made plans? As usual, my family is going to be spending it at MBS. Im soooo looking forward to the bathtub again. Its totally the highlight of my stay hehe. Im so planning to soak in there with some nice bath salts with a book/ ipad for at least an hour before dolling myself up, making myself feel pretty and stuffing my face full of good food. And I have plans to get some of my mates over so that we can drink ourselves silly and party the night awayyyyy!

It would be nice if we could do some gift exchange as well, though I have to say that I have kinda reached the age whereby there isnt much things that I would like to ask for anymore and even so, things that I want, arent quite within the affordable range anymore. (Though I wouldnt complain if you sent a charismatic gentleman my way to bring me out for a nice meal.) Plus, there is no greater gift than that of joy, happiness, love and laughter- and basking in the company of my friends would give me just that.

So ... How are you spending your xmas? :D Make sure its filled with love and joy!

Ban Marathons!

I really think that running a marathon screws up any human's physiology somehow. We are just not built to run/ last so long!

It was such an eventful day at A&E today. I was on in the later morning, when people started streaming in for heat stroke and exhaustion from the Stan Chart run. One 22y boy even died from it. SERIOUSLY, is it worth it at all? Is there anything to prove at all with a death like this? Really guys, love yourself more- you are worth more than a 42k run. And think about who you are leaving behind, these people you love (more than your own life possibly) are really the ones who are suffering more.

I wish Stan Chart would just ban this silly marathon of theirs. What are they trying to prove really?

A&E Week 2

Shiftwork really does messes up your sense of time and social life (wait, what social life?). I have completely lost track of time- my days are no longer mondays or saturdays but have all come to merge into 1 long week ... or day. Its now either on or off, nights on or day on, in Resus Room, Critical Care area or just P3 (ie. I dont know why they are in A&E actually).
I know I do sound like Im whining, but I have to say, Im really loving this attachment. Mainly because Ive been meeting such inspiring doctors who have shown me how its possible to be remain true to what we've all set out to be when we first entered med school, how we shld continually up our clinical skills and acumen and not be sucked into the system and become just yet another member of the production line (ordering all the routine tests and making everyone go through protocols for the sake of doing so) and picking up many skills of the trade.

I love A&E, but Im not sure if I would like to do it for life (besides the fact that Ive found another specialty i love more). Yes, it is exciting and yes, as a consultant you probably get to plan your shifts such that you get alot of time off to do other things, but I think what really bothers me (yes, i know you will all say I have a massive ego) is that they seem to have to take the flak from everyone in the hospital- especially when they refer a pt to them. Everyone seems to doubt the abilities and clinical judgement of e-medics and try to avoid their calls as much as possible. I can never phantom why, for 9/10x, their management plan is appropriate. Plus, if you try to avoid all admissions and not have any patients, you cant really be a doctor anymore can you? You probably are just a chap with a MBBS cert.
Pardon the angst but Im feeling really sorry for these AE chaps whom i feel deserve a tad more respect from their peers!

Ok time to get ready to set off for shift work again!

A&E Post Week 1

I cant believe that I havent managed to meet a single one of my mates since I came back to Sgp! But, I havent been so happy being in school for such a long time. Every single day, I come back smiling and eager to share all the beautiful things which has happened to me!

Week 1 in A&E has been incredibly busy but wonderful for me. I have seen a great doctor (in fact more than one) in action, he is the epitome of exactly what I hope to achieve when I graduate- clinically astute, kind and genuinely caring to his patients. All these amazing people I meet, they just totally blow my mind away! Not only have I rediscovered my love for medicine but have been truly inspired to work hard so that I could be doctor worthy to work alongside them in future :D Afterall, I cant say I want to come back to Singapore to help my people when I have nothing to offer them yes?

I have a long day in A&E Resus today, seeing one critical case come in after another. Will probably speak about them in time to come cos they are just too exciting to be mentioned in a one liner or two and I need to finish reading up on my acid base disorders and interpretation of ABGs before night take.

Meanwhile, everyone please pray for the best for my interview for residency this friday! I really really want the spot (so does everyone there i guess).

Post First week in Singapore

Its been a great first week in Singapore this time round- really busy, really fulfilling and really, time just passes too quickly! I have had about 2 days in at SGH A&E and Im starting to notice my (horrifying) lack of knowledge and extreme unpreparedness for finals.

But yet at the same time, I have refound my love for medicine and how it is actually possible to remain true to your heart and goal (how cheesy sounding i know) even when everyone else around you is ridiculously jaded. I think Im just so fortunate to be shadowing a MO who is so brainy, good- tempered, kind to everyone and who genuinely cares for the patients. I would be happy if could achieve half of what he is doing after I graduate.

Medicine aside, cos of my crazy A&E schedules, it means that my social life is taking a toll. No more dinners and no more outings since Im in hospital, Friday night and all weekends!
And there are just tonnes of things which I would like to do and people I would like to meet.

For people who say that Singapore is boring, I dont see how so! Scanning through the sistic and expo website, there is already some stuff which I would like to do:
1. Wicked the musical!- Yes I have watched it once in London but would like to watch it here again (cos its so good its probably worth it) and to hear the aussie cast sing (:
2. Song Dynasty Living Art- Ive an obsession with chinese art. Im not sure if its cos I used to do chinese calligraphy (something I would really want to do again if I have the time) and chinese painting, or cos of all the period dramas I have been watching or maybe just cos Im yellow and yellow art naturally appeals to me.
3. Chronicles of Narnia Exhibition- To embrace the kid in me! (: And I think this would prbably be a pretty short exhibition given the ticket price of $5 and its location in the middle of nowhere in MBS. In fact, heading to the ArtScience museum for the titanic exhibition after would be a good idea too!

And finally the things which I always would like to do as much as possible when Im in Singapore but rarely have the chance to do so:
1. Wakeboard!
2. Cycle at ECP (and stopping by for food en route)
3. Swim
4. Eat good food
5. Movies (Just cos its so ex in London)

Lucky (:

What a sweet song! (:

Back in Singapore

Just a quick update that I am now back in my lovely sunny Singapore doing my final special study module in A&E at SGH. 4 weeks of that followed by xmas break and then it would be back in London for the final lap before finals!

I have been suffering from really bad jetlag this time. Sleeping at 11am in the morning (or early noon) and then waking up in between for meals, finally up and chirpy at 2am (only to realise that the only people that i can talk to are my mates in London).

I have 2 upcoming interviews for my residency spot in the coming 2 weeks, so wish me loads of luck in pulling it off.

Meanwhile, i shall enjoy all the good food, friends and family!

London

Back in London now doing my special study module in O&G, high risk maternal medicine. After which, I will be back in Singapore again (I must be spending more time in Singapore than London this year) after this 4 week module for my final SSC in A&E at SGH. Kinda nervous and yet excited at the same time. Nervous cos I expect to have my ass kicked by the singaporean students and excited cos i think i'm going to be able to see loads (: It's all about pride aint it?

And its going yet another beautiful christmas in singapore with friends and family, really looking forward to it. That being said, I think Im starting to see a home in London, with all my beautiful and fun friends.

Best friend Prisc would be in town this weekend which is getting me all excited! We are going to watch the best cartoon of all times, LION KING IN 3D at the Imax at waterloo. My first time there, and to watch my fave childhood movie, how very nice! :D

Medical Electives in Singapore.

Just a quick update cos life is just way to exciting for me to document all of it down in words.

I have just been back from a 16day trip to Nepal- Bharaput, Pokhara and Kathmandu. It was truly an exciting trip that has opened my eyes to that part of the world (my little taster to India, though I am very sure that they wont be happy to know that they are compared to the Indians) and one which has allowed me to meet some really great friends. I got witness neurosurgery in a developing country, birth without any pain relief (holy!), patients with worms in their brains amongst many other interesting medical cases. We also managed to try paragliding (oh so beautiful the view of the padi fields from the skies), go on a jungle trek, go river rafting, elephant riding through the forest (i got motion sickness from this) and I managed to get myself a pretty blue sari too! Of course, the down side included battling the bed bugs, temperatures and humidity worse than Singapore and the streets of Kathmandu (just way too stressful with all the honking, spitting, dust and mud and noise).

Now i am on my second week of my medical elective, doing paeds at KKH. Its been such an enjoyable experience despite me feeling really stressed and stupid next to all the local M3 students. I think i truly miss being home. The people, the efficiency, the food and of course the friends and family.

Then Singapore just chose her new president- Dr Tony Tan (: What an exciting elections it was, afterall he won Dr Tan Cheng Bock by no more than 0.5% of the votes.

And ... I am going for the Jackie Cheung concert tonight, and Im sure it would be one amazing concert. Afterall he is the 歌神!

Seriously, I dont understand when people say that there is nothing to do in Singapore. I seem to have too many things I want to do and so little time- Singapore Zoo (check), Halloween Horror at Night Safari, MAF at HwaChong (kinda exclusive i guess), Museums (Chinatown Heritage Museum, Dali exhibition at Art Science Museum), Wakeboarding, Treetop walk, Bukit Timah Hill, the various shows going on- Hossain Leong etc! And if you are really bored, check yourself into MBS or Resorts World Sentosa for some pampering or take a day trip to Batam. Of course, and there seemed to be never enough meals for all the good food here!

Final Year Student Finally.

Oh yes, IM OFFICIALLY A FINAL YEAR ((((: Now I can hold my head up high and head back home with my head held up high! Im all hyped up about my summer plans and elective in singapore and loads of fooooooddddd. Enjoying the sun, going wakeboarding, chilling with friends and family ... here I come!

Year 4 has truly been one whirlwind year, I cant believe that its already July 2011, I dont even remember it turning 2011?! Time seemed to pass more quickly this year than any other year. But not necessarily bad for they always say that time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself.

I think I might just have an inkling on which speciality I would like to pursue in future (although whether or not I get it, its a different matter altogether). I have grew to love medicine now more than ever, and I have also learnt to learn medicine not just to pass exams but to be a safe doctor. Someone spoke about a great doctor that heads a dept in UCH, saying that "He wasnt a brilliant medical student, but he is an amazing doctor." And that is what I would like to be. It would be a bonus if I was a brilliant medical student but I think its important that I never lose the goal in sight. For spamming MCQs would never make me a good doctor.

I have met new friends, people who have made me smile and chuckle to myself whenever I think of them. Of course, I have rediscovered old friends. I have learnt to better deal with stress- to laugh it off, albeit maniacally. I have learnt work- life balance, so thats geeky peish out of the door! This concept, Im still grappling with, but Im determined that as much as I love medicine, its never going to be the only aspect of my life.

Im looking forward to the coming academic year, especially with a great bunch of people who will be posted to the same place with me.

For now, adieu 'cos the sun is finally shining outsideeeee! xxx

The last lap.

2 days to exams, the last one of the year. Thats if i manage to get through it successfully.

So people, pray for me, pray that I'll be blessed with the strength to get through the last few days, and that I'll shine during the exams- that all I have studied I will remember and that I wont eat up my words and go uhm & ahh during OSCEs.

I cant wait for home (((:

The price of freedom.

I really wish I had a secretary to work out my schedules for me, make sure that bills are all sorted, elective applications and random bits and bobs sorted.

And if its not too greedy, it would be really nice to have someone to help me out with cleaning and ironing. I dont mind doing the cooking hehehe.

But i guess, I do have the freedom of doing whatever I want :)

>:(

I know Im usually happy and cheery and problem- less.

And I know that exams are not near, and there isnt anything thats troubling me right now, Im having a great social life, heading out almost nightly and Im not even supposed to be having PMS now.

But sadly (no pun intended), my baseline mood has gone into deficit, Im just perpetually sleepy/ tired and I feel ... erms, lonely? I dont even know if thats what i really feel, but its really a mish- mash of emotions that i dont normally associate myself. Maybe its the effect of doing a Psychiatry rotation. Im probably getting mild depression. But statistically speaking, I dont have any of those bad prognostic indicators.

Or maybe my puberty came late and Im just going through that moody phase now.

That aside, Im heading to edinburgh this weekend, so hopefully it will clear things up.

Plea for Postcards!

Now that my time in London is ending, Im starting to treasure it more. And being a sentimental nostalgic little girl, Im trying to compile an album full of my memories my uni life (which actually a large part aint in uni or uk for that matter).

So i would really appreciate if anyone could get me a postcard from the following places:

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

2. Brela, Croatia

3. Oslo, Norway

4. Highlands/ Isle of Skye, Edinburgh

5. Dublin, Ireland

6. Barcelona, Spain

7. Venice, Italy

8. Verona, Italy

9. Naples, Italy

10. Cambridge, UK

11. Oxford, UK

12. Birmingham, UK

13. Prague, Czech Republic

Thats as far as I can think of for now! (:

Would pay you back and love your for ever and ever xoxo

My First Ever Vote for Singapore

Once again, I have to repeat myself for the 1000th time that I LOVE SPRING!

Even if it can get wayyy to hot in the very crowded non- airconditioned rush hour tube or super crammed & slow royal free lifts.

The days are long and people are just generally nicer and happier! Its less cold and most importantly, THERE IS SUN! I know Im becoming a Londoner when I obsess so much about the weather.

And today's a very important day, cos i voted in the Singapore General Elections. Im really thankful that I'm in London 'cos its not ridiculously difficult for me to get to the polling station (Singapore High Commission near Hyde Park Corner). Everyone tells me that my vote doesnt matter cos they aint going to count the votes of overseas Singaporeans unless there is an ambiguous win. But you never know right? I have to say I'm not really a fan of either of my candidates and with almost every seat ('cept for the unshakeable MM Lee) being contested, people will definitely forget my small constituency. It's a pity, 'cos potentially someone so much more capable could be our voice in parliament. Being an MP is not only about upgrading ... and erms, payouts? Its disappointing how neither of my candidates (Sitoh and Lina Chiam) addressed bigger issues that many other politicians have been discussing. The opposition party (Lina Chiam) appears to me to be merely trying to stir up angst amongst the residents against the government who has pretty much been neglecting our area ('cos its an opposition area) and Sitoh seems to be only dangling upgrading incentives (and he only had 1 rally). And sadly, neither are very engaging, sincere- sounding, charismastic or grammatically- correct speakers. Well maybe there are on the grounds, but it doesn't appear so on the online videos that I have to rely on.

Potong Pasir aside, I'm definitely way more concerned about the bigger guns- Aljunied especially. And I have no qualms that PAP would once again win in Marine Parade, despite Tin Pei Ling's "spectacular" performances and slips of tongue once and once again, but I'm excited to see how the results would be like. Yes, Nicole Seah is good, but can she compare to Goh Chok Tong? Indeed, she is more impressive than TPL but we cannot forget that there are very worthy candidates in PAP as well like Tan Chuan Jin, and can she compare to them? Much less GCT. Nicole Seah is one of the opposition party's stronger candidates and we are comparing her to PAP's weakest link. Is the opposition's weakest link even weaker than TPL? But as GCT said, (sadly) with GRCs you've gotta vote for the team and not only for individuals. TPL ain't ready, but if she doesnt perform (and in fact flop completely), I'm sure PAP would (hopefully) have a change of strategy next coming elections and understand that every single MP represents the voice of the people and fielding someone so unprepared can be a costly mistake.

But this election is exciting, and in less than 24h, we shall see what our new parliament will be like. Let's cross our fingers and hope that we have worthy MPs.