Learning Curve

Disclaimer: This post does not in anyway reflect the opinion of my institutes of learning (now or in the past). Neither does it reflect the actions or perception of my friends. It was purely meant for me to vent and avoid my blog from being without a post ...

Being in my current learning institute, I am power charged with the spirit of self directed learning (no really, when I first heard this, I was in awe - like a small boy being introduced to the concept of television).

excited betul!

It was designed so that, students will self check their own work. We would decide by ourselves the amount we NEED to read (greatly influenced of course by the amount we WANT to read). Now, especially in clinical school, we are expected to go to wards and learn as much as we NEED ...

With many sub-topics in mind, I was hit by the recent idea that was "if I feel that I am not able to learn from this session (seminar, PBL, TBL, CP, clinic, community visit etc), I am not going to attend it".

Hehe another disclaimer: this is not me :P I just like the view :P

Ref: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO3z6dx8KUqKqgqvCDS2R492uB7fJCQWbM_cdoDPybJjJbbszVhIbw7xApNnFZ3xoKcoG6UfKXw483v5AE1Ktnf8AOzlJzjSCcOVdmKyAezwE6wD0zYPMMOfRR76liQfYO3ayOEQQzg/s1600/pondering.jpg

So, how true is this statement?

In truth, one can learn anywhere and everywhere. Even bad situations can be beneficial to teach is what not to do. Plus, after broadening my horizon of other medical schools (haha - honestly, the view is probably a tunnel vision field but humour my delusions for this post yah!), I have realized the "golden opportunity egg" which my institute of learning sits on. Our clinical exposure is so vast that we do feel natural in the health care setting (not always but usually yes).

Ref: http://www.healthyandrich.com/golden%20egg.jpg

But, in a situation, that one cannot feel the benefits (be it because the environment is not suitable, we ourselves are not prepared, the possibility of doing other priority stuff etc), should one be given the option to not attend? We are constantly reprimanded to behave like adults and make decision to help ourselves, hence, is this not a decision made to help ourselves.

Of course, in any decision in life, there are pro and cons. Sometimes the boon and bane weigh differently on the scale depending on ones desire. In a nutshell, "a lazy person can come up with all the excuses in the world to justify slacking off and well as a hard working person can justify his spirit".

Ref: http://garyploski.com/wp-content/uploads/balance-scale.jpg

Just some thought to ponder upon ...

Falling sick

Sigh.

Anyone who has been around me for the past 5 days will know that I have been more grumpy than ever. I do not like falling sick. In fact, it has been a very long time since I last fell sick like this.

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Five days ago, Sore-throat felt bored and wanted to have a party. he invited his two best friends, Runny-nose and Block-nose. The Nose brothers were having the time of their life. Soon, Fever came to join the party and Cough decided to stop by too. After all, what is a party if there is less than 5?

Party till the dawn of 5 days later ...

Ref: http://www.wildhorse.co.za/gallery/newyearseve/foreverresorts/cartoon_dancers.jpg

Due to all of them partying in my head, Sleep felt shy and decided not to come. She stayed out late till 3am before she was comfortable to at least say 'hi' to the guys. However, she left about 5:30am. The partying went wild and the house, me, was developing a new groovy feeling called "out of body". (Literally, my boy was working faster than my head - so scary to drive and walk like this okay!).

After effect?

Ref: http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/sea0334l.jpg

Anyway, on Friday, Sore-throat's parents, Mr Complete-rest-in-bed and Mrs 100-plus (because I felt dehydrated too) decided than enough is enough. They ended the party. Mrs Clarinase(thank you daddy & mummy), Mr Zyrtec (thank you D!) & Mr Panadol-Flu-Max (thank you K!) came to pick up their children. The house was slowly being cleaned by Mrs Porridge (thank you K!) and her sister Mrs Soup (thank you mummy!). The house is still a mess and is in the process of trying to get things tidy. Of course, Mr Non-compliant-patient was trying to avoid the parents and got scolded. (thank you fam med guys!) It is going for inspection this Friday by the landlords, Prof K and Prof T (I think so!). So, wish the house best of luck!

Stress out and worrying about the inspection.

Ref: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_253/120672334449825q.jpg

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On another note, I also notice something. I am really not as healthy as I like to think I am. When my friends fall sick (LW, K, DL), as sick as they are, they can still function. The are still able to to be more motivated and fresh than I am when I am healthy.

Complete rest in bed is not an easy thing to ask patients to do ...

Ref: http://www.co.napa.ca.us/GOV/Departments/40000/Images/cartoon%20sick.png

Thus, the conclusion is that I really REALLY need to start living a healthier lifestyle. More exercise? More vege? Less stressing? (yes, I can hear K cheering to this thought ...)

Well, que sera sera ...

Quick Update

Haha - I seem to be doing a lot of this quick updates nowadays ... ah well, just putting my thoughts together.

Firstly, I have been to Singapore for the month of November and December. Not for holiday, but for Selective and Elective. Long story cut short, it was enjoyable and I learnt a lot. I learned the academic side and the personal side of it. My academic knowledge, well, has been summarised in my Selective and Elective report. Hehe If i can figure a way to attach it to this post than you can read all about it. The personal side, I learned about fighting and keeping the spirit up. A bit about loneliness and independence. A bit about social skills and etiquette. An experience that I owe to my parents for paying for my extended (not in IMU contract) education and my cousins whom have put a roof over my head and food before me. Thank you.

My cousins ... :D:D

As for Christmas, I spent it in Penang & Hat Yai! Haha A little less traditional but enjoyable non-the-less. Penang? What else? EAT! (I have since then never dare to stand near a weighing scale...) Hat Yai? Shop! I finally bought a pair of jeans that I like. Haha I know I sound like a small kid whose birthday came early but yeah, I have been wanting to get another pair of jeans for ages ... I truly enjoyed the trip :D

Now, back to reality in Seremban. Starting in Family Medicine. So far, the momentum is not starting. Too many breaks in between ... new year hols ... GP posting ... sigh. I really need to start work ...

Okay, enough reminiscing. Time to get off the Internet and start on my report :D

Till next time :P

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.