Minor posting's of Semester 8

I have finished my 4 minor postings of semester 8: Ophthalmology, Accident & Emergency, Dermatology and Ear, Nose & Throat.

My thoughts?

Ophthalmology? It was interesting staring into people's eyes. It was also fulfilling to finally be able to see the optic disc somewhere other than the books :D Thank you Dr P and Dr K for teaching us. However, I don't think I will see it as a career :P I can recognize normal - and that is the limit of my ability. Plus, I don't have the patience to read all the disease's in the book :D

http://depts.washington.edu/asaccp/eye/general/retina1_big.gif

Accident & Emergency? It was a very very scary posting but a practical one. One has got to learn the trade or else there I will be no use in an actual setting :D It is important to declare that my group were the angel's of A&E. it is true than in the 2 weeks, no one (and I mean it literally from morning sessions to night on call) we did not see ANY intubation, resuscitation or patient who has passed away. The only exception was the last group on call if I am not mistaken. So, we are not to be blamed :P Haha if this could be scientifically proven, we would all be hired to sit in the department just to ensure the safety of the patients :D

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3827823/2/istockphoto_3827823-cute-angel.jpg

Dermatology? I am 100% that I will not be doing speciality in this posting. Don't get me wrong. Dr N, Dr P, Dr I and Kak N were smashing. But, to me, all skin lesions look the same. Please don't ask me to tell the difference. For that matter, in the exam, one of the questions asked for underlying conditions that could be possible ... I answered everything (every disease that I could write in the short 5 minutes). So, I guess that career died before it started :P

Ear, Nose & Throat? This posting was much better. Thank you Prof E. However, 2 weeks to finish 3 anatomy has sent my head in twirls ... But I did get to see audiometry testing in action. It felt rewarding to see patients be fitted for hearing aid or to receive speech therapy. Hmm, quite touching.

http://www.toonpool.com/user/1044/files/ear_beach_119655.jpg

However, on the whole, the postings were too specialized. Without a deeper interest, it really was just like blowing through each postings. Hopefully, I can catch up with all the reading during my selective and elective posting (yeah, yeah, I am just saying this to comfort myself but the books are more likely to just gather dust for 2 months :D)

Quick Update

Since my exam, I have still not the time to pen (or rather type) my thoughts down. So, in the true nature of last minute blogging, I am going to summarise my life events from then till now in one post. :P

Had exams ~ passed. Still waiting for results. Many people say they rather not receive the break down but I think we should. Following IMU's nature of self directed learning, we need to know where we stand if we are to direct ourselves. No?

Exams ...

Ref: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/dmbtest.gif

My holiday was to go to Port Dickson with family. It was a relaxing getaway after exams :P

During the hols, I was busy trying to clear the Semester things away, returning my baseline heart rate to 72 beats per minute and preparation for the 1st Malaysian International Medical Students' Conference. The week flew by without me even blinking. Oh, midway, celebrated K's 22nd birthday. Hmmm, it was Japanese again this year ...

Birthday boy with DL :D

Then, term started with ophthalmology. Here, I must confess and apologies to all my ophthalmology lecturers. I am sure they had high hopes in training me ... but I can safely say that now that the posting has ended 2 weeks later, I am non-the-wiser. So, have to do some catch up work and stare into more peoples' eyes.

Staring into eyes ...

Ref: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:GQaPbBfXahHqvM:http://i.pbase.com/u19/hrss/upload/8681681.M

In the midst of ophthalmology (I seem to have a lot of in between) I attended the 1st MIMSC! Kudos to the core committee and sub committee for a job well done. My respect for some of my colleagues have reached new heights and of course, my boss is still high up on my list for most likely to succeed in life :D I am still to settle the bills and certs for the conference but at least these matters can be taken one step at a time. I have to say I have never (and hopefully never again) experience so much walking (IMU BJ 4 floors look a lot more when I have to carry boxes up and down) - so little sleep (10 hours for 3 days but my amount of sleep is still more than everyone else :P - I am so lazy!) - and produce so little urine (only went toilet once a day - don't worry, I replenished as soon as possible).

The official logo (yeah, I know you wanna see pictures of the people but as I don't have them ... you will just have to be patient)

So, tomorrow I start a new adventure in Accident and Emergency posting. I cannot hide my reservation of my learning in this posting because it is something I cannot see myself ever wanting to do. However, I shall walk into IMU tomorrow with as open as possible a heart to the posting.

Door to my heart

Ref: http://www.shjolg.com/images/closed%20door%20heart.jpg

Till I next update/brood/get annoyed at my lack of posting - Au revoir

Happy Belated Birthday!

To my blog, Happy Belated Birthday! You are finally one year old. May the coming year be enriched with more thoughts to feed the soul (hopefully with an increase of frequency too :P)

Ref:http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/happy_birthday_cake.jpg

I am grateful

I am grateful for everything that has been given to me. A home, a family and education (still in process :P). A series of recent event helped remind me that I have had so much receiving but not a lot of giving.

It is actually a story about a PDA :D

http://eaesthete.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/cow_jumped_over_the_moon.jpg

About 15 months back, my Dad discussed with me and he agreed to fund my OWN PDA :D I was over the moon! I am not an IT savvy guy ... so, owning something like that is a blessing and a curse at the same time :D However, my Dad saw it fit to help me in my studies and went on with the decision to foot out almost 2.5K for it.

http://www.moretwittertraffic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fist-of-money.gif

I was the proud owner of a HTC.

Since then, I have diligently read the manual to maximise it's use (and my brother can testify that I don't do that with every new electronic item in the house.

http://courtneyphillips.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/reading-for-dummies-cartoon.jpg

The PDA has been a great tool and life saver many times. Unfortunately, it had to weather a breakable pouch, falling on tar road (I think many ppl will remember my depress mood last year :P) and of course swimming class (literally ~ no joke!)

About one month ago, my PDA finally gave way. The screen went blank. Unfortunately, it seemed destined not to light back up with a whooping minimum of RM 900 just to get it fixed. *Point to note ~ I have been told that the model is removed of the market because too many problems? Just rumours I heard.

Anyway, I felt burned and bummed.

http://www.raytownfire.com/images/explosion%20in%20face.jpg

My Dad (the man who originally paid for my first PDA plus repairs ...) offered to buy another PDA. (If it were I, I would probably had told my son to just study the old fashion way ... after all money DOES NOT grow on trees).

http://raleighforhire.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/money-tree.jpg

I was afraid of another PDA repeated story. I was afraid of a sequel with the same plot.

But my Dad paid for another. I don't know what to say.

http://images.clipartof.com/small/6714-Brown-Dog-Mascot-Cartoon-Character-Jumping-In-Shock-Clipart-Picture.jpg

Thank you Daddy. You have always been generous in everything you gave me. I have never felt as if you denied any of my desire. You were always willing to go the extra mile for me. Thank you.

Happy Daddy Day!

PS: I promise to do my best to take care of this phone.

PSS: Special thanks to all who comforted me when my phone when down. To A, thanks for lending me your spare phone for 3 weeks. To KC, thanks for helping me set up my new phone. Last but not least, to my loving cousins down south who helped me get the phones. Thank you.

Concentration

I am sitting for my paeds exam next week. After spending 4 weeks of blurring in the wards & daydreaming in class ... you would think that I would spend this last weekend doing some heavy duty revision.

But no! I have been wasting this precious 48 hours away ...

I can't seem to concentrate. Every 30 minutes of study, I am checking my mail, surfing the web, lying on my bed, day dreaming, reading a book ...

Ref: http://www.weblogcartoons.com/cb/concentration.gif

Anyone has any tips?

Social stuff ...

Hmmm, in the midst of studying, I seems to be quite busy since the last 5 weeks. Just a quick recap on my life ...

I have done my Orthopaedic posting for 5 weeks. My take on it? It was fun, novel, eye opening ... but perhaps not something I can envision myself doing. But then again, it is too early to tell. Que sera sera. One of the most important take home message from this posting is ... LOVE YOUR BONES! The pain on impact(if MVA) is not comparable to the pain of the treatment! Slow & painful. 

Bones are like this stack. Easy to bring down but it is painstaking to put it right again! 

Ref: http://www.chocosho.com/admin/images/380x285/80124_1_bone_stacking_game_b.jpg

I have also sat for MCQ paper for Psy and Ortho. As always, I am the predictor of doom ... :P but, I think I have learned to take things as they come. The paper was bad but life goes on and the next posting is coming. As I always like to say, the sun will still rise tomorrow ... :D

Hmmm, I was looking for a scary hooded guy but this guy is so much better :D he got hired for the role :D 

Ref: http://www.hoernersburg.net/images/StoryPictures/Black%20Hooded%20Man.jpg

Next up, my tummy needed some placating :D So, tried Seremban's specialty ... seafood ... crabs! It blew away a whole week's allowance (thanks mummy for letting me crawl home with my tail between my legs to beg for food :P). But, the company and food was nice. (The price was not worth the crab ~ so, maybe somewhere else?)

Black pepper crab? I also can't remember the taste ...

Please don't even try to test my tiny memory on the crabs taste ... :D

The friend who has promised to make a voodoo doll of me for revenge ... :P

The famous Seremban shop. Food was good but not student allowance friendly :D

Somehow, I managed to go for my first ever concert! David Archuletta! Okay, before anyone ask me how I photo edited my picture into the photo, it is REAL! I did go! Okay, it was cheap (Ticket was less than RM50), I had good friends going (who would have given me stares if I backed out in the last minute) and it was an experience :D Lots of standing, sweating, laughing, annoying (people at the concert), rain (too long a story to tell :D), last minute changes of plan and spending a lot of money (parking, food). It was truly an experience but another concert? Hmm, I think it would need a lot of thought before going for another :D

The cool friends whom I went with :D

I like his songs :D

Nice smile :D 

* All pictures a bit blur but that is becoming my MO ... 

Other than that, my cousin got married! Congratulations to LL (big sister!) and to my new brother in law (S!) The garden wedding dinner was novel and the tea ceremony was fun :D (because it was my first time actually helping to prepare!). Dinner at Banting was nice and yummy! Btw, I totally like their wedding pictures! Like top model!!! The choice of outfit (wedding picture and actual wedding) was good. Inspiring :D Haha but I don't think I fancy the hair! Not the looks because I was blown away by its looks but the weight! Ah well, beauty before comfort? It was a weekend like no other. Love my cousin and new cousin in law :D

The brides maids, grooms brothers and the cousins :D (Honestly, I dunno all of them but i like the atmosphere of the picture :D) ~ all smiles

My Cousin! I like this gown ~ Asian and Western touch ... 

Lastly, I am having my mid-semester break. Mummy day and a whole day out with family was awesome. No pictures for obvious reasons (I have not got down to downloading them :D). Hmm, will try to get them up :D 

Food for thoughts ... how did I manage so many things in 5 weeks when I am suppose to be studying ... Hmm, obvious answer too ... I was not studying!!! Okay, time to get serious and hit the books! 

Ref: http://www.vietpostcards.com/images/school.gif

Decisions ...

Thinking cap ... 

Ref: http://www.adrants.com/images/thinking-cap.jpg

Face with this menace everyday of our life. In every aspect, we put on our thinking caps in hope to unravel the mysteries of the world. We weigh the pro and cons of every decision. Toss the list behind our backs and follow our heart. But our 

heart may not always be correct. So then, how do we make a decision? No one ever hopes to make the wrong decisions. 

This week, I have been burdened with many difficult decisions. Some whose consequences probably will not register as a blip in my list of life events and others that have been giving me insomnia (initiating insomnia due to anxiety :D) 

Thus, my conclusion is ... there is no right decision. 

Tipped scale ... 

Ref: http://www.spirituality.org.za/uploaded_images/tipped-scale-733228.jpg

Pros and cons may tip the scale but .... our heart is the guide we need to be motivated and have deep burning desire for the decision 

Burning heart of desire

Ref:http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~numero9/Burning%20Heart.jpg

... a decision may be full of boon but our heart just cannot accept it ... a decision may be full of undesirable endings but our heart is drawn to the challenge and gore - to test our limits ... 

The true decision to be made is 

Can we live with the decision made? 

What can be done to mold the decision?

What are the lessons to be learned from the decision? 

Taking the plunge...

Ref: http://images.google.com.my/images?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMA_en-GBMY319MY319&um=1&q=diving+into+water&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

Then, take the plunge ... never to look back ... never to regret ... the only thoughts that should consume the mind would be how to proceed and realize the decision ...

The roller coaster ride of decisions has not ended but I certainly hope to continue the battle till the last battle horn is sounded. 

Lord, grant me the wisdom to change what I can; and the courage to accept what I cannot

Sleepy teddy ... 

Ref: http://www.huggableteddybears.com/files/detail/G-1R34146-2A0608P.jpg

Hopefully tonight my sleep will be sound ...

Zebra crossing

Zebra crossing
Ref: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/communityandeducation/juniorroadsafety/2485.aspx

There is no denying the atrocious behaviour of our Malaysian drivers. This is a topic which if one were to share his/her experience, the is no need for sleep. However, I would like to share an observation of one of the likely cause of our terrible habit.

We all have learnt that at a zebra crossing, the motor vehicle is to slow down and allow the pedestrian to cross. The instruction are simple and to the point in our "undang driving book". We just don't bother to follow.

Car driving? (I don't think there is any animation, so, don't wear out the mouse by clicking on the image :P)
Ref:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mvs.net/images/virtual_cable_animation3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mvs.net/technology.html&usg=__RCk2_IPAvo1VWoCv9edxg5WzVPA=&h=320&w=480&sz=43&hl=en&start=2&sig2=-eCCYkn4nWMF0Jam3gEOqA&um=1&tbnid=oKvKtyERI7pptM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=129&ei=y0S-SfeyMIKg6gPq7P3yBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcar%2Bdriving%2Banimation%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286%26um%3D1

On one morning, my family and I were crossing the road which had a zebra crossing. Now, don't get me wrong, I was not expecting any car to slow down and let us pass (good samaritans are far and few :D) So, we waited and patiently to dashed across. Coming along the road was a learning driver's licence car (the kancil's marked with a large L). It crossed my mind that someone who has to preach the rule of slowing down would actually abide by it. Hmmm, no prizes awarded for guessing what the car did. It speeded up and left a trail of dust in the air. We eventually got to cross when a good samaritan driving a Malacca plate stopped. God bless him.

Driving off while leaving smoke behind ...
Ref: http://www.daddyospizzasubs.com/Images/DrivingCartoon.JPG

Well, the moral of the day is ... becareful on the roads :D

Okay, the true moral of the day is that we should do what we preach. I am caught using the phrase "Do as I tell you, don't do as I do". As sincere as that statement is for the listener, I think it is time to break the habit. I am the biggest hipocrite there is. So, I am making a March 16th resolution (new year is long gone and I always think there is no need to wait for an occasion to better ourselves - we should do it everyday) to lead a life that I would preach to others. It will not be easy (I am so lazy) but I will never know till I try right? Best of luck to me and to those who are inspired to make the same changes as I (haha this is an attempt to give myself moral support :P)

Hmmm, I seem to have many lazy bones ...
Ref: http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/designers/rebecca/images/rw_720c.jpg

Review: Second Glance

I recently read a book entitled "Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult. It's plot revolved around a plot of land that was supposed to be the Indian abenaki burial site. A land developer (who else?) wanted to make it into a supermarket thingy (what else?). The only catch was there were paranormal activities (raining roses? frozen ground? change of temperature?) Thus, the developer calls a ghost investigator (paranormal activity investigator - not a ghost buster team :P) to try to prove if there is a ghost. The paranormal investigator, Ross Wakeman, carries emotional weight as he lost his fiance in a car accident while trying to save another person's life. He has a divorced sister with a son who has xeroderma pigmentosum (interesting read but a rare disease!). Thus, he finds a ghost, falls in love with the ghost and ...

Ref: http://i-love-cartoons.com/snags/clipart/Casper-Friendly-Ghost/Casper-Friendly-Ghost-3.jpg (not the ghost in the story but it looked cute :P)

I'm not writing a book review. I was actually most interested with the fact that Ross Wakeman was depressed with all the problems surrounding him. He had tried to commit suicide many ... many times. I (both religion and self belief) do not support committing suicide. However, there was a point in the story that started some gears working ...

Ref: Gears working http://gazzaleylab.ucsf.edu/files/clear%20brain%20w%20gears(v%20small((2).jpg

Ross had asked the man who was going after his sister ...

RW: How far will you go for the love of your life?

Man: I am willing to go anywhere to be with your sister.

RW: What if the place is far away from here?

Man: As long as I can still walk, I will go.

RW: What if the place is too far to be reached by a living being?

RW was referring to following his fiance in the other world (the one which passed away) while the man was referring to physical distance. At many points of the story I could really feel the despair ... the feeling that tomorrow will be just as dark ... there is no point to continue a journey that leads no where ... why prolong agony?

Sometimes, maybe to continue something is futile. Maybe it is worth reconsidering ending all of it. Maybe tomorrow will produce the same pains and suffering it has since the beginning of time. Maybe.

Ref: Gloomy clouds http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1538/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1538R-49951.jpg

Looking at the world, it is a gloomy place to be. Perhaps, it is important to let go of some dreams and move on. Some say life is not a bed of roses. I disagree. It is. It is beautiful and honey smelling to all who lives in it. What they never tell you is that the package came with pointy thorns.

Ref: Rose bush http://d954091.u114.weberz.com/images/Our%20Rose%20Bush%20Web%20Small.jpg

Nerd 0-0

************************************************************************
“I don’t wanna be a nerd like you!”

Ref: Crying heart http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.heidikunterbunt.de/pics_sale/crying_heart.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.heidikunterbunt.de/html/galerie_01.htm&usg=__l4HuaOE4jHbUShIEzi6Tdo1JABY=&h=217&w=210&sz=7&hl=en&start=78&tbnid=w8wx5Lqj5GGt6M:&tbnh=107&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcrying%2Bheart%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286%26sa%3DN

My heart shattered. Me? A nerd? Was that really how my friends viewed me? I feel like I’m going to be the last kid in the playground to be chosen for the team. Like I am at the back of a line but no one can really see me. Am I a nerd?

Ref: Nerd 1 http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kodak.com/US/images/en/corp/1000nerds/lund/nerdGirl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nonowrites.wordpress.com/geeky-perspective/&usg=__y1ZBFGjCPKHMQSeYp8xKceHtn3E=&h=500&w=550&sz=45&hl=en&start=19&um=1&tbnid=lyU1qX8Ht05rxM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnerd%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286%26sa%3DN

A nerd is a person who, although having good technical or scientific skills, is introspective and generally introverted. (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nerd)

Ref: Study Chair
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://k43.pbase.com/o4/85/387785/1/53018195.cartoon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbase.com/beaucamera/image/53018195&usg=__tZeINzpTJnzXVwRhiSnfX7fOQig=&h=600&w=764&sz=110&hl=en&start=11&tbnid=83JZ5c48AK1lFM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclever%2Bcartoon%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286

That night, I settled myself into my comfortable study chair to ponder the issue.

<…good technical or scientific skill…>.

Ref: Study lust
http://www.briansguide.net/cartoons/2005/04/20050408-studying.png

Does it reflect intellectual ability? Am I judged for my lust towards knowledge? Am I judged for the hours I spent in front of the screen? Am I judged for my amusement of the celestial laws of nature?

<…introspective and generally introvert…>

Ref: Party http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nextsocial.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/20070724-party_cartoon.gif&imgrefurl=http://nextsocial.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/upcoming-events/&usg=__ArBXz64eO8sVGAZrtb18osyLm8M=&h=191&w=234&sz=2&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=dEu5V28UMbKSuM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=109&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dparty%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286

Am I a social nuisance? I don’t like parties … I never what to say or do. I certainly don’t like being in the middle of attention … it only causes vasodilation of my cheek's vessels. I don’t like to share my thoughts … their mine right?

Am I a nerd? A social outcast? Destined to be alone? My shattered heart is blown away by the silent nightly breeze.

************************************************************************

The story was inspired by A and the topic was inspired by LW. Hmmm, does that make them the producers? :D

Anyway, the central idea was of medical student being socially labelled as nerds. I think we cannot deny the hours we study. Majority of us are of “good technical and scientific skill”. So, I guess that is a point for it.

However, “introspective and generally introvert” is only for a few of us. Anyone who has seen our batch going all out in graphic art (posters, banners), musical performance (sing, violin, piano, flute), sports (futsal, ping pong, cheerleading) and parties (birthdays are never normal with our batch!).

So, perhaps not all of us are nerds? The next time someone gives anyone of us the social label as a nerd, smile and tell him the wild stories that the funky chicken of M106 did!

PS: I am NOT brooding but this post was requested by LW as part of my blogging homework :D

Ref: Homework - http://www.cbpl.lib.ia.us/reference/homework.gif

PSS: I hoped I put that worry out of your head LW!