Taking a sabbatical

Sounds like a christian, priestly, nunsie word... but it simply means taking a break. Learnt the use of that word from Judging Amy, when Maxine was forced to take a sabbatical after her fiancee died the day before their wedding.

I'm taking a sabbatical from blogging for the next 2-3 weeks, unless something compelling enough to write comes up.

Need time for reflection, meditation (whatever they call)... actually it means that it's a good time for some self-denial and complete concentration to prepare for exam... just in case things don't turn out too great, so we can't blme ourselves too much, because we have done our best.

Sounds like Lent, but whatever ritual we have to do, we have to do.

Good luck to all my friends. Hopefully the next time I blog, I have nice things to share with you all.

God bless!

Soft shell crab at Oriental Cafe

Good food. Nice ambience. Reasonable price. Maybe waiting time was a bit long... about 20-30mins. But had a blast with my dear friend Hema. NOT SURPRISED to bump into Chris and Jason, who are eating everywhere in Kuching. Want a recommendation where and where not to eat, ask Chris. :)

We both had soft-shell crab. Mine came with cold spinach noodles, and hers came with fried rice. Not bad. Crab was fresh. Didn't have that soggy taste that I once had with the crab at another place. I would give 3 1/2 stars out of 5!

This is cute Hema. Hey girl, you looked gorgeous in your skirt! :) Let's do this again after exam.

And this is me, very satisfied with the evening. :)

Oh yes, I have great news! I lost 3kg in 10 days! Yipee!

Happy studying!

It just dawned on me

I didn't really sleep well last night because it dawned on me that there's this impending finals that would mean leaving medical school forever and ever. I don't want to be stucked here for any much longer. Though I feel totally ill prepared, I wish that the exam is tomorrow and by Friday, I would be so liberated from the burden of constant self-doubting and horrid, horrid feeling of inadequacy.

And yet the clock is ticking as painfully slowly as before.

But I remember, "Happiness is a habit". It's been working so far. I try to wake up in the morning and try to talk to my dad (usually we all keep eerily quiet in the mornings) and play with my cat, and get ready to go to the hospital. And I think my decision to join the guys was a good one because it's something new and refreshing. Like what Chris said about being taken for granted if we keep clinging on to people that we're too close with or spend too much time with.

And the emotional support that I get from her and some of my other friends have been invaluable. I don't know how I would have been able to pull through without just knowing that I have people who are journeying with me.

And I in the evenings I let out some steam by doing my skipping and boxing. Even at night after a long struggle with my revision, I imagine myself whacking the punching bag, and imagining myself getting my own bag and my own pair of gloves if I have to be relocated. My bag and gloves would be red ones. :)

Dad has been teaching me some techniques and how I should relax more and concentrate on my breathing. It's really, really fun and in a way, it's a father-daughter bonding thing. It used to be football, but since I've been too busy to follow, I've let that go. When I was younger, we would spend hours in front of the TV watching tennis matches or rugby games. It's a world neither my mum nor my sis could enter.

Did I metion that my new skipping rope has a counter? It's Adeline's idea. And it only cost me RM7.90/-! Got it from Saberkas. Now I don't need to count, instead I concentrate on intermitent speed jumping a full one minute each cycle for about 15 to 20 mins. I'm planning to wake up early in the mornings to skip before my activities of the day. Don't know whether that would materialize.

So ok I may be having a hypomanic spell now with all my yakking, so having a blog is really one of my greatest decisions in life! :) I rarely feel down nowadays. Once they all let out here, I feel a ton of my shoulders.

Paddle on people!

p/s: No idea what a word cloud is... but here's one of my blog.

Try boxing

2 reasons why did boxing today. Firstly, I was reading Sue's Sanctuary, and she was talking about taking up kickboxing to vent some of her frustration, and I stupidly told her that I did it before and thought it wasn't fun at all (it's true, I didn't like it before). Then just now when I started my skipping (into 500), the handle of my skipping rope broke. And it was raining so I couldn't go for my brisk walking. And I was kind of frustrated, didn't know what to do, and didn't feel like cycling on the staionery because it's kind of "painful" under.

Then, I saw my dad's punching bags, one was mounted and and hanging from the wall, and the other was standing. Both looked very shiny and new (my dad doesn't really work out nowadays because of OA of his knees) so I decided to give it another try. After all I didn't have any choice. So I dugged up my dad's gloves and started punching...


Man, it was exhilirating! Pap, pap, pap, pap! Now I have to recant my statement on Sue Yii's blog. :) People, seriously, try boxing. You can work up a sweat very fast, and it's a great work out for the upper body. I'm getting a new rope tomorrow. Now I have the perfect work out regime! Skipping and boxing! *beaming*

Kickboxing? I don't know how yet. Too excited about punching the bag, I didn't even lift my legs to kick it. Will ask dad about it.

People, again, seriously, give boxing a shot.

My study progress? Wasn't very productive today. I know I'm just lazy, but I feel like whatever I do in these last 3 weeks wouldn't actually make much a difference in my professional exam, because, simply because I had 5 years to get ready for it. 3 weeks of study leave wouldn't catalput my standard.

But whatever it is, I'll still kick on (continue to cramp some last pieces of info), simply because it's my responsibility as a student, which I won't be for very much longer. Please dear God.

Have a good Sunday!

A Birthday Tribute

It's Linus' birthday today. :) Happy, happy birthday friend!

Coincidentally I was looking through some old stuff in my drawer when I came across this 12-year-old photo of me and Linus. It was taken during some school holiday camp or something and we both got paired to perform a sketch or something, yes? I have poor memory.

Want to take this chance to thank you for all those years of friendship, standoffs and laughter!

Enjoy your special day. God bless!

Some

Had a long morning in the ward, so was kind of tired in the afternoon. Lazed around until 3.30pm and went for my exercise. Today I decided to go to the Civic Centre car park. It was cloudy and breezy, so I was very comfortable. Got home an hour later and helped mum with dinner.

Parasite came to the house looking some love. So I obliged. It's pretty strange that such a beautiful cat is a stray. I'm a big girl, but as you can see, Parasite is huge too... good genes. Later at night, he scratched my bedroom window because he saw me studying on my desk. But I just gently tapped on the window to shoo him.

Really sorry Parasite, dad says no more adoption.

Caught this picture of Miss Jelly staring into the horizon. She looked so calm and serene.

Happiness is a habit

It doesn't take a psychiatrist to come up with this. We decide whether we want to be happy when we wake up each morning.

"Good morning! Hey I want to be happy today!"

See... so easy.

I think that was my take home message from the almost 4-hour revision class today. ENT was a no brainer. Because I didn't know anything! Psychiatry was better because I spent 30mins going through some of my old notes before class. Then I know what Dr. G was trying to do, and I really appreciate him for that. He was trying to calm our nerves and pass on some life wisdom.

Dr. G and I have a love-hate relation (my delusion). When I was doing psychiatry for the first time in my 3rd year, I always had this overvalued idea that he was persecuting me. He's always singling me out in the class and making weird comments like, "Sharon's a good daughter", "Sharon's trying to be a good girl", "Sharon's very sheltered, so she doesn't know the hardships of life", "Ask Sharon... her English is better than mind", etc. Things like those. Then he made me almost cry in the clinic once for what something he said which I've subconsciously forgotten. But it was hurtful I remember. Then he apologized after the clinic.

Basically he was always attacking my character. Maybe he thought I was a spoilt rich girl or something. Maybe he felt some inferiority complex because Dr. G is special. He only has one ear.

One of my friends nudged me during our very first meeting with him and whispered in my ears, "Hey, ask him how he wears he stethoscope." Then giggled. Stupid friend.

But things got better in my final year. I find him changed, and very nurturing. And today, I thought he was sincerely hoping that we would make through life as happy as possible.

He's also very blunt. (Is that a good quality for a psychistrist?) He said blantly, "You won't need a lot of money if you have good mental health".

Sounds silly but it's profoundly true.

Anyways, Dr. G's would be a memorable character to me.

On a lighther note, my diet and exercise regime is coming along pretty well. Did 800 on the ropes and cycled 35km on the stationery yesterday. Did some crunches this morning and a nice stretching. Rememebered some useful techniques from my tennis days. It made so much difference to my day. Diet's a no brainer, just cutting down on carbs and sweets, and lots of water. But there's this issue of the Hacks sweets. Caffeine's already cut down 50% which is an amazing feat.

Hope to be rid of those excess soon!

Tonight is Medicine night. So it would be a long night. Happy studying guys! The rest, bonne nuit!

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Sorry, can't resist. Some pictures.

For benefit of Chris. She was confused with the history of my hair colour. No more orang utan orange.

Was reading a book my sis recommended "What You Wear Can Change Your Life". Excellent book. 2 small tips. Round dangling earrings for a round chubby face, like mine, to make features sharper. (?)

Second tip. Thick ankles, wear half covered... to me that means Mary Janes... so I dugged into my shoe cabinet last night and found my very old Mary Janes... the sole came off late this morning. Gave me a high-stepping gait the whole day until class. Then decided to pull out the whole thing. Then Hema suggested I pull out the other side too, which I did. Now they are in the trash.

Connie the Puppy

Today (technically, yesterday, it's 1am+) was Obstetrics day, and though I spent more time than I initially allocated for today's revision, I still didn't finish the intended topics. I find myself day-dreaming intermittently. *sigh* About what I'll be doing in KK and all. Silly huh?

Then I thought maybe I just needed a break. So I drove myself to my fav sushi bar and had my fav salmon sushi! I don't care about the mercury poisoning issue. Since it accumulates slowly, and since I've decided that I want to die happy. Then I bought myself a new top. Yippie!

While waiting for my dad to pick me from the faculty, I was siting at the lobby, and staring outside (it's my way of ignoring the passing people around) I suddenly heard someone walking behind me said "Hello!". It was Dr. M. Then he asked me about my preparations for exam and all, you know small talks. But I always find talking to him amusing because for some reason, he has quite a number of admirers among the girls in my group. :) I remember his name always came up in the class and in the side rooms in the wards while waiting for bedside teachings. And the girls would be teasing him with another colleague of mind. It's not very hard to see what's going on. They are kinda jealous of her because she's a looker and anyone (including Dr. M) would find themselves "drawn" to her. Hehe. He's a nice lecturer, young, and he treats us like friends, and he's always cracking jokes and laughing. I've never seen him angry yet. But unfortunately he's not good-looking, a tad of nerdiness... (and I personally find his jokes sometimes kinda lame, but it's his disposition that's so pleasant).

So my point is: It's refreshing to see smart girls (my friends la) going for personality. Jocks with pea brain, move along.

I like him because he's soooo patient with the students, putting up with all our crap. Never angry I repeat. I would like him if he had shown some anger or irritation with us. He's tooooo nice for my liking.

I have this little addiction to the black Hacks sweets. I can easily pop 4-5 a day. That's why I carry toothbrush and toothpaste in my bag. Rcently I was told that this particular sweet contain caffeine. That's why.

The morning group discussion was canceled because Adrian overslept. :) So we went over to his place in the evening instead to practice some physical examination. I was glad with the arrangement because I get to see his new puppy!

Isn't she a darling? Her name's Connie. Mun Foo was lying through his teeth when he said that the name wasn't inspired by our colleague Connie. Heheh. Silly. Anyways... she was hyper and was running around like a cockroach. Brought her a rawhid in the shape of a rugby ball, and I think she loved it. :) Gave her many kisses too. But she's too skinny to hug. Maybe in a couple of months time she would be more huggable. And she was rearranging my face with her tongue.

Was surprised to see Raj very into her. Maybe it's my first time seeing him with an animal... so I'm glad. I always get a warm tingling feeling meeting another animal lover. For Raj it's kinda like a relief because I've known him for quite a while and it would devastating if he didn't like animals. BTW, this is Raj, my Tamil language teacher. Kalivanekem Raj!

I was so into the practice just now that I forgot to take some shots of the group in action. It was kinda fun, and I thought really good because there were some serious, serious players in the group. Learnt a lot, but also realized that I don't know a lot. Wake-up call.

Better stop here. Bonne nuit!

Day 2

Didn't have a particularly productive day today. Woke up with dysmenorrhoea, and my parents noted that I looked a bit pale. I did feel slightly lethargic towards the evening, but I felt quite ok in the morning. So I packed my Harrison's and made my way to the faculty, only to find the library closed for the morning. Finally I settled in a vacant room on 3rd floor. Thought that I could finish the study marathon to at least late afternoon, but by 2pm, I gave up and went home to watch TV. But at least I covered the topics I intended for the morning.

Didn't make it to the clinic to meet up with the guys. Thought my legs felt a bit weak, and didn't feel like facing Mr. Z. His nice and all, and it's so nice of him to want to take students for revision sessions, but it's kinda taxing to deal with him, his sarcasm and "sexual" harrasment. :) Nevermind. Don't ask.

I imagine my routine for the next 2 and a half weeks. I hope time would run a little faster, for a change. I always hoped that time would run slower than usual, but now, I want to get finals over and done with as soon as possible.

The only other crappy thing about today besides the abdominal pain is the craving! AAARRRGGHHHH! Today is sweets. Had lots of chocolate and ice-cream. Then felt guilty and skipped rice. Shit. And I didn't make it to the park for my brisk walking today. I plan to wake up early tomorrow for skipping. Found the skipping ropes in my tennis bag. About time. Used to be able to do at least 1000/session. Doubt it I can make even 500. I'll see.

Supposed to meet up with the guys tomorrow morning for PE practice, but was told by Raj that it's not confirmed. He'll let me know tomorrow morning. Anyways it won't change my plans to go to the faculty to study tomorrow. But I hope it's on. Kinda tired with reading. Need some hands-on.

Oh ya, did I mention that it's terribly HOT today?

Cheers people!

The Ugly Duckling who became a Bitchy Swan

Day 1 of my final preparation for my coming professional exam. Fortunately found myself a group and we examined some cases in the wards. Though I was quite unprepared after such an indulgent week, I felt quite motivated to pick up again. So that's a good start.

Oh yes, results are out, everyone passed! I was sooo happy when I accidentally ran into a group of colleagues in the faculty all looking eagerly at the temporary noticeboard. York Tien was the first person I spoke to there. The first thing he said to was, "Everybody passed! Even Medicine posting!" So that's really great... what a great way to end final year, and it's such a boost to our confidence facing the final professional.

So congratulations to all my colleagues! Just one more hurdle people, just one more....

Subconsciously even though I didn't care so much about my Surgery results (because I know I'd pass anyways) but I guess just knowing the the results were out and all and that everyone passed, I'm so physiologically relieved... what do I mean? You see, I'm "late" 3 weeks. And what do you know, it's "hello!" after dinner...

Maybe I should attribute it to my little jogging/brisk walking in Reservoir Park just now. I was falling asleep during study in my faculty so I decided to go for a run at around 3.30pm! Yes, when it was still kinda HOT. But luckily a huge cloud sort of covered the lake area when I got there... so I ran a little.... couldn't complete the whole round, so decided to continue with brisk walking... and I was actually walking faster than some of the old men who looked like they were jogging, you know with the bouncy action. Ok, ok, they were old...

No, there were no hunks, Adeline. She asked me whether I saw any hunks in the park. Only very old men. Sorry. Come to think of it, I wonder why she asked me when she's been jogging there since she knew how to run. Has she ever spotted any guy who could possibly be close being a hunk? If yes, she's never shared it with me. Hmm....

Oh yes, actually my true inspiration for this entry is this. Met someone today whom when I first met her, I thought she was this super duper nerd, yes wearing glasses, with questionable taste in clothes and shoes, carried a weird looking canvas bag and a huge bottle of water, etc, you know, the works of a nerd. I actually felt pity for her, even tried being nice to her (but she was too suspicious of me)... she was always complimenting on my clothes and all, and always asking me stuff about some other girls we both mutually knew.... she even asked favours from me for a variety of things...

Ok, let's cut this short. I have to say that's she's turned out pretty nicely. I think she's found a fashion idol or something... but I just don't understand why she's such a snob nowadays. She's only making eye contacts with the guys, and she doesn't even say hi anymore.... and just now, when I greeted her, she gave me this very unfriendly look. Never seen that. Scary. She just nodded with her partially rolled eyeballs and proceeded to talk to the guys around me. Sheesh.

I thought she gave me a look that said, "Hey, you're not good enough for me to say hi."

I was taken a aback. So it's true what people have been saying about her. She's turned into a bitchy swan.

Guys may find this weird... but I guess it's a girl thing.

So anyways, she can fuck herself. The only thing is that it's probably my fault for trying to befriend her the last time. Maybe she saw through that I pitied her, so this is her way of revenge.

Ah well, thanks for the inspiration for this entry! *hugs* NOT!

I can be very bitchy too.

Ok, better stop here. Want to finish up reading the cases I saw in the wards today.

Bonne nuit!

Easter triggered an upheaval

Easter, for the past 8 years has been like CNY, Christmas and Cap Goh Mei, very festive and lots of merry-making and eating. I just don't see the purpose and worse, I don't know where to even start to appreciate it. I find it difficult to proclaim, "He's risen from the dead! Alleluai!". So I keep to my very safe "Happy Easter" and "Blessed Easter". I don't know what's gotten into me really. It's like I'm being rebellious, resistant and maybe even phobic.

2 possibilities.

1, I'm disgusted by hypocrites. 2, I'm one of those hypocrites.

I rarely feel comforted by being conscious of my faith. Instead, I always feel tested (which everyone said I should be feeling), tired (because it's like a constant mental anguish) and it has made me very judgemental of everything and everyone around me.

And I never get real answers. All I get is floaty, heavenly things, fluffy, cottonwool cloud ideas of how I should live and face the world. I just don't get.

The horrendous thing about all these are that at the end of the day, I feel terribly guilty, like I've sinned terribly. And I ask myself why is God testing me such? What is His purpose? Isn't all the anguish I'm going through planned by God? Because "He knew me even when I'm in my mother's womb"?

When I pray, I try to visualize God before me, and I would start talking to Him... is that right? How should one pray?

Then when I vow to be nice to somebody who's been very hurtful, but halfway thought that if I let that person continue to be hurtful, am I not commiting a sin because I let that person continue to be a ****, instead of giving him/her a piece of my mind in the hope that he/she would change?

Then someone who say that "It depends..." Yes, it depends. Life has soooo many variables. Who said life was simple?

So that's why I'm confused... isn't our faith supposed to help us make sense of our lives, giving us directions, giving us cues once in a while to assure us that we're doing ok?

Despite all that I've said, my heart yearns for the time when my faith was simple, when I didn't question too much, when I wasn't very curious. When in my heart I was sure that I'm doing right, when I'm going the best direction.

I wish I can have that once again.

Maybe I should ask God tonight whether I derserve that again.

I didn't kiss the cross

I've always hated going to Good Friday services growing up because we have to kiss the cross. The same cross that some one thousand congregation members kiss, depending really on the size of the church you go to. After each peck, the alter servers would wipe the spot where the cross is kissed (usually the feet) with a piece of clothe or some cotton (which always looks dry, no alcohol whatsoever)... I've always loathed going for that service just for this reason. I tried kissing Jesus' knees, face and even once just gave a blowing kiss, in desperation to avoid the commonest spot where people kiss. I don't trust the alter servers cleaning techniques very much.

Yesterday I made a startling discovery. The queue for the veneration of the cross was super long because of the rain. They directed the congregation into the church instead of a different cross outside the church. So while my family waited for our turn, I flipped through the pages of the Holy Week booklet and read the section about the veneration of the cross, hoping to gain a little more insight into this practice which has become more of a tradition than a religious one.

The section read, "... make a simple genuflection or perform some other appropriate sign of reverence according to local custom, for example, kissing the cross."

Aiks! What do you mean for example, kissing the cross? You mean I didn't actualllly have to kiss the cross? I could have actually just genuflect all these years? AAARRRGGHHHH!

But I managed to keep myself composed and nudged my dad beside me and I asked both he and my mom to read that section which I had just read. "I'm not kissing the cross. It's gross." I declared. My dad whispered, "Yay, you can just bow your head if you want to..."

It takes them 25 years to tell me this. That's why I'm not wrong sometimes to argue with my parents about the church being irrelevant in my life nowadays. I don't relate at all to its rituals ( I wanted to say "witchcraft", but I got a scolding from my mum the last time when I used that terminology). So just to respect my mum...

Anyways, I didn't kiss the cross. This year I'm starting a new tradition of making respectful genuflection. That should be the local custom, for hygiene and health reasons. Period.

Speaking of health reasons, I'm dyeing my hair again tonight. I know, I know, AGAIN. For the first time in my 25 years, I'm actually unhappy with my current colour. I'm actually always embracing however the colour turn out, but this time I have to agree with my mum that I look like an orang utan, you know that dry orangey shade? Sooo... so I'm increasing my risk of getting bladder cancer tonight, all in the name of vanity. Really, not all doctors are very bright. :) Hehe.

Better get started with my hair. :) Before that, Happy Easter everyone! Don't believe the rumour taht it's canceled....

They found a replacement. :)

Nah... bad joke... really, Blessed Easter everyone!

Happy by myself

Haha! My friend Chris was so sweet that she asked whether I wanted to be "set up" with a guy, because she knew someone, who knew him well... I think because I led her and some friends to believe that I had this HUGE crush on him. But I explained to her that to me crushes are just crushes, you know. Not a soul would know that I really have the hots a guy because it's just my style. If I go on and on about a guy openly, it's just a crush. I can go on and on for years and years liking a guy without anyone knowing it. That's just me, though it doesn't sound very intelligent, yes?

Crushes are exciting, but love is sacrificial, in good way (but not the Godly or religious way, k). I feel humble and selfless when I'm in love. I don't get silly or bimboish when I'm in love. I get to be that when I have a crush. When I'm in love, things a very sane and respectful and I learn stuff about myself, what I'm capable of doing, the worst and best of me. It may not sound very exciting or even conventional, but I guess I'm not such a wild-child at heart that I've imagined myself to be. I'm probably just very plain after all. :)

So when I was replying her mail, I realized that I'm not in love with anyone at the moment. Not even interested in anyone... :) I've come to this point in life when I'm just very comfortable being by myself. Happy by myself. When I think about my near future, I see myself living my dreams, like watching Federer play on Rod Laver arena, joining Medecins Sans Frontieres, joining a safari, traveling, writing, being this hotshot forensic specialist... :)

Anyways, thanks for the thought.

Taking a break

Yes, siesta! My favourite past time nowadays. But dad and Pheobe know how to take it to a higher level!

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But I can't rest too long, the countdown's getting hotter!

The Lipid Issue

I won't say that the papers were easy today (even though in mind I thought I breezed through them....) I was just delusional about being prepared and all. I was rushing through each and every sheet just to get things over and done with.

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And now I'm happy. Now 3 weeks of study leave before my professional on 8 MAY.

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I would be even happier today if Dr. T didn't again make an issue about my weight in front of the whole class. He's like a special consultant just on picking me on my weight, even though I can name at least 3 other poeple in the class who are easily heavier than me... Today he was like saying, "Sharon, would must really lose weight... if you can't do it now, it would be harder when you're 30 or 40..."

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I used to make myself think that he's just being thoughtful and nice (and maybe just genuinely concerned about me getting a coronary or something...) but now I think he's rather irritating. Let me count. I think this is easily the 40th or 50th time he's announced to the public that I have a weight problem. Then after wards, in the privacy of his office, he was saying, "Sharon, you must try to lose weight, you're a good student."

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Huh? You mean being 10kg lighter would help me pass my professional with flying colours? Or is it that I would have been even a better student if I had been 20kg lighter?

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I sure hope that it's not his English that's "cacated" at that moment.

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*sigh* Obviously despite what people preach and advocate these days, people are still being judged for the appearance, not their substance.

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To them, fat = lazy, no life, saponified brain, hypothyroid

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Honestly I know I have a weight problem. I have known since before puberty. I have known since I couldn't wear many store-bought clothes like my other friends in school. I know because I've been subjected to cruel remarks as a teenage. I know because strangers would describe me as the "fat girl". I know because I don't remember having too many social invites in school. So I know.

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Yeah, even today, a very stupid colleague of mind even said that I needed a liposuction when Dr. T was broadcasting about my weight problem in class. I was a little disappointed because I thought I've left behind those people in school. But I guess I can forgive him because he's after all resident barbarian. When he opens his mouth you would immediately think of kolo mee seller. So I guess I have to cut him some slack.

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But I guess the question I should be addressing is when I'm going to do something, seriously do something about by weight. I'm not getting any younger.

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Sometimes I wish my life is simpler. Like Jelly's, where fat = cute, and everyone wants to hug you.

Palm Sunday, PMLE & Surgery Long Case

I volunteered to take pictures of the Palm Sunday Procession for the Youth Ministry in my church yesterday.

It was kinda fun except that it was SSSOOOOO HOT! Make that scorching hot. Needless to say that my PMLE (Polymorphous Light Eruption) erupted after. Pictures turned out fairly good.

Congregation making their way into the cathedral...

The Youth Ministry was given the task of leading the procession this year... the flag-bearers...

Errrmmm... the tambourinas?

Got home. Hung out a little with Pheobe...

Then it was back to the books in the evening...

Ah yes, regarding my long case, I guess it was ok except that I totally embarassed myself when I forgot the types of biliary stones! The examiners were chuckling at me because I imagine that they were amused that I could answer all their questions on investigations and management and complications (the higher-end stuff) but couldn't tell them basics... it actually slipped my mind.... In my mind I could only think of CPUCX (pronounced "CPU complication") which is my mnemonic for calcium oxalate, phosphate, urate, cystine and xanthine stones in the urinary tract! AAARRGGHHH!

Whatever. Now for the theory papers on Wednesday. Happy holiday tomorrow!

Canon Ixus 60: Bringing cam-whoring to a whole new level! :)

Feline tiff

Started my first day of surgery exam with short case and OSCE yesterday. I was very fortunate to get a patient with Grave's disease and another with a dermoid cyst on his foot, so I would say I did ok because I don't recall making any major mistakes or opened my mouth without making any connections with my brain.

Let me quote Dr. Pubalan, the infamous dermatologist in SGH, "Make sure your brain is connected before opening your mouth!" I will always remember his words of wisdom.

Anyways... OSCE was a mixed bag... I didn't know what the abdominal X-ray was showing... I couldn't believe Dr. John chose such a weird X-ray for exam... it wasn't intestinal obstruction, gas under diaphragm, acute pancreatitis... but again ... hehe.., I did purposely skip one of his lessons... :) There also some stations that I just couldn't answer very well...

Kai Chin said that for the orthopaedic stations we only needed to know 10 topics, but surprise, surprise, only ONE came out, DDH I think.... No Colles, no Gallezi's, no torticollis, no septic arthritis, no osteosarcoma.... Luckily I didn't find it very difficult. Phew.

Anyways, I'm so over it now... just have to focus on my long case on Monday and then my theory papers on Wednesday.

After I got home yesterday after the exam, there was a little comotion in my driveway.... Remember "Parasite"? Yes, he's still around... He scratched my bedroom window last night trying to persuade me to let him in. Anyways, Jelly spotted him yesterday, unfortunately for "Parasite".

Jelly spots "Parasite"... she balloons up steadily...

She makes her move...

Takes her cover... assumes ambush position...

"Parasite" has no idea what he's facing...

Jelly actually ran him down into the drain... he got all wet and yucky because of Jelly... don't mess around with Jelly, who's Miss Piggy's daughter from next door.... the 16-year-old cat @ witch...

I thought it was pretty cute, the little feline tiff... and was busy showing the pics to my parents and sis... then I started telling Pheobe about it too....

I swear she actually roled her eyes on me! Bitch.

Good luck in your exams!

I made Pheobe puked

Pheobe was just chilling out...

Then I started cam-whoring....

And some more... then to top it up, I used Photoshop to make my skin look better...

Pheobe just couldn't keep it in and started gagging... ewek... *gag*

Hehe... just to release tension. My surgery's exam on Friday. As usual, can't seem to be finishing any topic... just jumping here and there... I think I'll only start panicking tomorrow.

Good luck guys!

Study frenzy, photo-taking frenzy, frenzy.

Mr. Moose resting on my new Fila bag...

Stryker & Jelly socializing...

Met Doreen today...

Pheobe's sooo photogenic!

Cool eh?

My 2 gorgeous colleagues... Connie & Adeline...

My very happy colleagues.... eh guys, exam Friday...

With Dr. Tin Win in the ward....