Saturday, December 29, 2007

2007 in 20 pictures

L-R:
(Jan) Home; (Feb) Snowy London, Cambridge; (Mar) UH Choir; (Apr)Italy, M03P reunion in London, RAG week, Choir in Royal Albert Hall; (May) Fire in Floyer House; (June) Finals; (July) 2.5 year-old laptop dead; (Aug) Kenyan Orphanage Project in Kisumu Kenya, Team in Safari!; (Sept) Passed my retake!, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sweeden; (Oct) 22nd birthday; (Nov) 3 weeks into Southend Hospital Clinical firm; (Dec) Christmas in London

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Silent Night

12.28am, 25th Dec

I'm sitting here on my chair typing this, feeling bloated after returning from a Christmas gathering at Dawson House. I was thinking of going to St Paul's midnight service, but with all the public transport lockdown starting from Christmas Eve, and cabs charging you extra expensive, I decided to go for the Christmas service later in the morning (11a.m) instead. I'm going to walk to St Paul's tomorrow! for 40 minutes!

It's great to have people around to celebrate Christmas with. With all the cakes, chicken (no turkeys unfortunately), wine, and mince pie, I am experiencing a Christmas celebration in an English way. This is my first time actually celebrating Christmas in London. Last year I was back home, and the before I was Rhys' house. London city centre is very quiet over this period of time when everyone's gone to their own hometown. There's not much traffic, and public bus are less frequently seen to. You see roads decorated with Christmas lights. There are many Christmas trees around too! I really love the atmosphere of Christmas in London!

However, I do feel upset with the fact that I'm not celebrating it at home this year. I would miss the the oppoturnity to meet my distant relatives, try authentic Sabahan food as well as spend time with my own family. The latter may not be quite true since everyone will be busy making preparations for Christmas. There's always something happening everyday, a lot of gatherings and I don't really have much time to meet my old friends. I guess that's what any family would do, to make up for the time they have not seen each other for long time, by planning very, very meaningful events on this occasion.

It's quite a silent (mid)night now. It's time for me to go to bed so that I have the energy to walk tomorrow to St Pauls. Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

It's time to say goodbye?

This past couple of weeks, I've came across plenty of eternal goodbyes . None of them involved me personally, but being in an observer's podium did stir my heart to blog my thoughts about it.

These goodbyes can be divided into 2 categories: impending and occurred. For the latter, my friend's dad passed away after suffering from cancer. Another patient I saw passed away after complications of pneumonia. I saw another patient being opened up in a post mortem by the coroner to determine the cause of his death. I heard of a student that died in a tragic accident in my student halls.

I have never talked nor met them, and yet the story of each of their lives does make me think a lot of my loved ones.

The former - impending byes - happened when I was in clinic when my consultant had to tell his patient diagnosed with mesothelioma - a nasty, inoperable disease of cancer of the lining the lung - the progress of his disease, and its ultimate outcome. The prognosis is bad - the maximum time he is left with is 9 years.
He seemed be calm about it, but I could see that his wife was holding his hand as tight as I would imagine as she would, never wanting to be separated, could anytime burst into tears. Her survival instinct was very strong, trying to take charge as much as she can to make her husband be as strong. She must be hoping that if only the doctor's diagnosis was wrong. If only this is all just a dream. If only this is just a scam show where there were hidden cameras just wanting to record their reactions upon told that the diagnosis is all but a joke.
But no. The doctor's - a consultant's, to be more precise - authority and knowledge could not stoop that low. The doctor's right, at least most of the time.

Being a medical professional does give an unspoken authority to tell whether someone is likely to die or not from something. The power to control how much information patients would need to know, where in an ideal world they should know all about their health. The authority to deny resuscitation attempts in a patient with end-stage disease (patients and their relatives would have a say in this of course, but then that is ultimately manipulated by what the doctor says); those very 3 letters uttered that make a big impact - D.N.R.

Almost. Being a doctor gives you the power to control life, and death. Almost. Miracles and faith fill the gap. All these are in varying proportions in every doctor. It's a privillage which must be used properly, guarded with humanitarian and spiritual wisdom, and a desire to do what is in best interest of the patient.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

You know you are a doctor when...

Taken from http://www.medicine.com.my/

1. You wake up at 6am on a weekend although you don’t have work.
2. A sound of a van reversing with a beep makes you look for a phone number.
3. You feel there is something wrong if you don’t have an exam coming up.
4. Can’t relax
5. Can whizz through a 300 page book in a day
6. Are sexually charged for no reason you can pinpoint!!
7. Watch scrubs and laugh at yourself.
8. Use the phrase “I am a doctor” to get away with something.
9. You are always tired.
10. When you keep on asking for stuff that doesn’t get done.
11. When you write more than a thousand words a day.
12. When you have no privacy.
13. When you look at a naked person on the beach and the first thing you notice is their appendectomy scar.
14. If you thought you have a disease you are studying about.
15. if you feel like your over worked and under paid.
16. If people call you doctor.
17. You find yourself always carrying a pen even if you’re on a night out.
18. When you forget to have a haircut.
19. cannula please!!!!
20. Are expected to be in two places at the same time.
21. Are expected to know everything.
22. Are called in the middle of the night to sign a piece of paper.
23. Are dragged to the end of the world to talk to someone.
24. Are expected to smile everyday.
25. Don’t understand what people mean when they talk about the “hospital smell”.
26. When you can see someone’s guts and think about food.
27. When you are not disgusted by the previous sentence.
28. If you can’t remember what you ate they day before! but still manage to remember the blood results of every single patient you have.
29. You are always thinking about the next job.
30. Are reading this sentence!!!
31. You think green is a cool color to wear!!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

What I learnt from church - Security in yourself

It takes insecure people to be proud - it takes secured people to be a servant

Lost weight????

Hmmmm... very strange. I'm putting this entry in because I only notice it once people told me so. These past few weeks people have been concerned about me being much thinner than how I used to be.

Stress? Hmm maybe. Maybe stressed out when my Consultant bombarded me with diifficult medical questions. Also, however, I must say I enjoyed my hospital attachments so much I forgot to eat.

Not enough food? Maybe - rather, more of me being veeeeeeeeeery lazy to make food. I must say I have not been eating properly.

Winter time, when all your fats are burnt down to produce more heat to your body? Possibly. Winter this has been more 'winter-ly' than last year. This year it has been more windy, more wet, more cold!

My fiscal health defiency in sports event

I've been broke. Really broke. JPA allowance has not come in yet despite their promise of putting that into my accountin the last week of November. They say there was a problem with HQ, so money won't come in for at least another 2 weeks! 2 weeks! However, I'll be a happy man once the amount comes in! =)

Went to Nottingham Games (annual sports meat for all Malaysian Society in UK). It's really great get to see a lot of people. The Malaysian food they sold was superb... I could not simply resist the temptation of buying that. Obviously the fiscal prognosis on my emergency cash reserve in poor. On another issue, there are three things that I learnt today that has told me that you have been around UK for a very long time (especially true to medics) :

  • You see fewer familiar faces of the people that you know in your college batch.
  • You see more juniors than you batch mates and also seniors
  • Those people who came to UK at the same as you (or later) are going to graduate next year!

Friday, November 30, 2007

Higher aim

“Complacency is the root of all evil.” ~ Maitreya

Being in hospital can be chaotic and calm at times. The source of these? The people who are working in the hospital; and who have come seek for treatment or mere reassurances.

I'm studying my 3rd year medical training not just to pass this year; but also to make sure that I do not kill patients (and drive myself insane) due to lack of my basic knowledge - and more sadly, my ignorance of it in medical school - when I graduate, which is not that far away...

I desire not to just know, but also to be very competent. And not to settle to just mediocracy.






Saturday, November 24, 2007

Among the giants - rules of 2

2 kinds of giants in life:
between you and other people - their physical being and soul
between you and yourself

2 potential outcomes:
nice
bad

2 ways you react if it's nice
Grateful
Take advantage of it

2 ways you react if it's bad
Face and try to overcome it
Run way

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Inherently medical

I tried to resist the urge of 'medicalising' my blog. Trying to resist the urge to document the experience of my medical training so far, is probably one of the hardest things to to do when blogging. But I guess I should give in once in a while. A privillege to listen to people's life stories and we as medical profession can play a significant role in directing some aspects of their life. Some are worth sharing to the world in an appropriate and respectful manner.

My first advice in my medical career to a patient: mourning for the death your loved ones is a normal phase of life. The deceased would definitely want to still be happy although they are no longer there physically with you.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Entry wajib seorang pelajar perubatan


1st clinical year: you can be as dumb as you like, although you would much prefer building your medical foundation as much as possible.


Thursday, November 01, 2007

Dulu dan tidak terlalu dahulu

If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable - each segment distinct.
~Letty Cottin Pogrebin


Friday, October 26, 2007

I'm just a baby

Finally I'm blogging again.

I've started my clinical training for 3 weeks now, in Southend,a typical English town. It's very much where I wanted to be - wonderful accommodation (ensuite, shuttle service to and fro flat&hospital, internet, free laundry, great flatmates), not too distant from London (just 1.5 hour away on train), and most important of all great medical teaching team.

My flatmates, who are also my coursemates

My consultants are very nice people. They are very keen to teach, and they dispel my myths of surgeons being arrogant and fierce people. They provide very constructive critisisms on my progress and it's very reassuring to know that you are actually learning something out of your hospital placements. They stimulate your inquisitive attitude towards the medical field. As of now, I really love how this year we are can be more independent ofnwhat we want to learn.

Seen and a lot of interesting things, and as of now, I'm very interested in anesthesiology. Surgery won't probably my thing. I realised that third year would have a very steep learning curve to take, as I know very little about the disease people have, how confirm and many such situations. I also need to work on my generic skills of being a doctor; most of the time I know what I'm suppose to do, but I can't never absolute certain I'm actually doing that right.

Comparing myself with consultant , which is not logical, I do feel like I'm a "baby doctor" - still can only feed on liquid and progressively taking in solid as I grow in my walk to be a GREAT doctor... .

Oh yes, I turned 22 last Sunday. To summarise how my birthday went, it will be: a great dinner treat on Saturday evening, followed a wonderful chilled celebration along the River Thames, on bright sunny Sunday afternoon together with a small,chilled group of friends =)


The birthday cake

Thursday, September 13, 2007

I passed!

I PASSED my resit exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm officially in third year now.

=)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Day 6

Taught at 2 schools today. I got to teach maths, and it was much fun! 3hours in the morning and just 30 minutes in the afternoon. The latter was boring (students weren't as participative as the first group).

Primary education in Kenya is free - there is tuition fee. But they had to pay so much for other expensses such as books, school uniform, etc. Failiing to have obtained these would result in refusal of school entry. School normally starts from 7.30am to 3.10pm with 3 short breaks in between. Like many African schools, they are sort into education years based on their academic progress rather than their age. In my class (the most advanced of all 8 classes), they are from 13 to 20 years old. Mind you, it's a primary school education. Many take 13 subjects, with majority are being taught in English.

The evening we had talks by Omega Foundation, main organisation KOP has been colloborating its projects with. They about the things they do and 3 significant things came to my mind:

first
, physical disability. I now know that being disabled, congenital especially is also a stigma here; being regarded as a curse, their family members mistreat or even disown them. Very few schools could cater for their kinds of education.

Second
: mosquito nets = no malaria = 300sh = 10% average monthly income.

Third
: microcredit scheme, where you give loans to people to purchase capital so as to generate income. Seems to be working to improve poverty level in Kisumu. It's interest-free, and hopofully the defaulters can take care some of the orphans when their own financial status has improved.

Went to bed at 10.50pm. Very early awake tomorrow - 2 am - for an amazing trip!

Kenya - Day 4 & 5

These two days we visited 2 hospitals - the Nyanza Provincial District Hospital and Kisumu District hospital - to do observations only. Generally, doctor-patient relationship is still very paternalistic, and these hospitals are underfunded in many aspects which turned to be as resourceful possible (e.g. ripping off the end of gloves and used it as torniquet) .

Provincial
I visited the paediatrics ward. Apart from seizures, I saw many kids with Burkit's lymphoma (due to high assocition with Malaria, AIDS, and epstein-barr virus). These kids were around 5-6 years old and had very huge abnormal masses on the neck, body, etc. And at such a young age already they had to suffer from chemotherapy everyday for the next at least 2 years. Despite the a good prognosis in children with Burkitt's, lack of medical supply hampers their recovery progress, aggravated by prevalent malnutrition issues in the community. They looked really frail and emaciated, and they cried a lot when the doctors injected them with medications.

It was a very enriching experience for me, and made really more interested in learning medicine, wanting to find better ways on how things can be cured.

District
Another fulfilling experience, where I get to interesting cases like necrotising fasciatis. Others things include fractures, malaria, tb. In the morning I get to see a doctor suturing a guys head (he had very deep cuts on his head), and I found that to be equally interesting and agonising (esp when the doctor had to apply occasional force to pierce the needle through the skin of his head). Amusing case was a local medical student who was with us suddenly fainted after witnessing this procedure!

We visited the assylum in the afternoon, and I must say I enjoyed myself there dancing and chatting with the patients (few looked really normal). One of them made me (nicely) write my (fake) contact address so that he could write to me. He even gave his address (looked authentic!) so that I could send books to him.

Kenya - Day 3

We were split into groups of 3 or 4. We went to HOVIC centre, which is basically a day rehab-centre for street/homeless kids, where met and were briefed by all their 9 working staff members. HOVIC provides free breakfast and lunch, also informal education to about 100 (average) children, who are between 3 to 18 years old, every day except on Sundays.

We had a number of activities today. We helped preparing meals (meals called nyoyo - basically consists maize, beans and potato), befriendedand watched the children debating, and in the afternoon, played football (I suck. Even the girls played way better than I). I tried a bit of the meal, and despite my diarrhoea panaroia, the food wasn't bad at all. We snapped a lot of pictures with the kids (and staff!) and they really loved them!. They were really friendly; you hardly need to make the 1st move to talk to them - although I did think they were probably friendly because we are westerners (?).

We chat a lot with these bright kids, and discovered a lot of their concerns about life. Until the HOVIC night centre porject is done, they have nowhere to go to after the centre closes at 3pm. They slept on any shelter they could find with constant fears of being assaulted by patrolling policemen every night. I heard their storied of how some are often beaten mercilessly, even if you are just mere 5 years old. Many of them sniff glue, the thing that they claim to provide them with warmth to survive the harsh coldness during nighttime. Homeless kids are constantly stigmatised by the society, and even by their own family members. They are always blamed for the crimes happening in the society. While they may be some truth, very few see the bigger picture; of how these children's helpless circumstances - family breakups, poverty, exploitation - have forced them to commit crimes in order to enable them to find the very next meal.

They also talked about education very much. They wanted to become lawyer, engineers, pilot - ambitions almost impossible to achived unless they have someone to sponsor their education. They see education as a way out of the poverty cycle, but it is just too expensive here. To get to a secondary school, they have to afford at least 20,000 shiling a year (1000sh = £8), and with the average monthly family income of 3000sh, they more likely to abandon their studies. Made me feel quite sad some people back home took their education oppoturnities for granted.

The debate topic the chilcren had today was 'home-shelter is better than street-shelter'. After listening to their points, I think a very good summary to them is: home is where your heart is

Kenya - Day 1 & 2




Jambo everyone! Karibu Kenya! Welcome to Kenya!


After a grueling 12 hour (with 3 hours transit in Doha) flight + 9 hour bus journey (after the 20 of us landed in Nairobi) we arrived at the state of Kisumu - the 3rd largest city in Kenya. Finally after almost 24 hour being in a sitting position, I got a proper sleep in the bed in the hotel we stayed in. It's not hotel in all its sense - those like you would expect by western standards - but it's a fairly decent place (except for occasional water supply interuption) and that's where I would be staying for the next 12 days.

The next morning, we had induction on what about Kenyan Orphanage Project (KOP), went around the town, and visited some of the project sites that Barts and The London supports, many of those are quite far from the Kisumu town centre itself. There is a marked difference between the rural and urban areas in Kisumu. You hardly see any 'modern' buildings in the rural areas. Houses are made of animal wastes (dungs) and hardly there is a house made of wood or bricks. Houses are not supplied with basic utilitites. Many people in Kisumu, more obvious in the rural areas walk to go to places they want to go, and very few who can afford bicycle, let alone a car ( although in this agricultural-based area I occasionally saw fully-loaded trucks). In town where everything is centralised, things are very scattered in the rural areas, with nearest school and health centres can be as far as one hour's walk.


Interesting fact of the day: the world's highest number of wives married to a man is in Kenya - 265 wives! He must be extremely rich to afford that. He built school for his own children. Well, as you may expect, it's definitely difficult to remember, let alone identify which of the children in the village are his. So, people take advantage of this!


Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Back from kenya!!!

I just got back from Kenya this morning, and really loved to blog my experience up. But I'll probably do that by next week when I'm more free then. I'm in the middle of a very important mission. Something important, so important it will have a massive impact on my future

To be continued....

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Kenya+Alone+Zorbing

Kenya: 2 days to go!!!!!

On another matter, and I'm alone in my flat now. Shin Yee has gone back to Malaysia for about a week now, Thurston is in Scotland for 2 weeks now, and Eliza has been away to France (and still not sure when's she coming back because she just bought I one-way ticket. I wonder if she has actually bought her return flight ticket yet) for 3 weeks now. Huhuh

On another totally unrelated issue, as per requested by Ms Izy, and I suppose many of you guys who have been reading my new 'wish' column will be wondering what Zorbing is. It's a kind of extreme(?) sport activity where you (and a partner, if you wish) are placed inside the ball and will push down a hill. There two ways of how they will put you inside the zorb-ball:
  1. Strap you on the medial wall, and you just basically roll down
  2. What I prefer to call as the 'hamster position', where you try on remain standing upright as you go down the hill. To add to the fun, there's water poured into the ball prior to rolling - to really, really make sure that you are true 'human-hamster' - as a dry as hamster's fur, if you survive the ordeal.
Here are some pictures:



Here's a video to fully illustrate the fun of Zorbing



But, seriously mahal sangat! 2 times going down the hill = £35- 70. Maybe In Australia or NZ, it might be cheaper.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Why do you have to do this to me?

For the past 2 years we've been together,
You see me eating,
smiling,crying,
clothed, naked,
when I'm awake, when I'm asleep
Together we build our dreams together of becoming the best
You're the reason my bored life is breath with joy,
As much as you're the reason I could complete all my tasks,
You make me unable to .... take my eyes off you

But why, why, you make me find solace to my heart with another being?
Why?
WHY??
WHY?????
Why now ....
Why do you suddenly depart from my presence? Why did you suddenly snap out of me?
How would my life be without YOU..

Do you intend to cheat me all this while? Is this why you become cheap!?!?
The fate of our relationship... it's just all shadows overcast.
For all I know,
I will long for you for at least 7 days from now.
But, will we be apart ....... forever?

But,
But maybe our temporary distant relationship is for a better future

I will miss your electrifying aura.
I will miss your colorful face.
I will miss touching your body
I will miss playing with the mouse that has bound our love all this while

I'll pay whatever it takes to overcome the obstacles
But if it's too expensive, then I'll just get a new laptop lah (but I don't know when)

Till I see you again, HP pavilion dv1000...




MUAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Thursday, July 26, 2007

I went home just now....


Penampang, of Kota Kinabalu city


After zooming in zooming out, and (almost) aimless tracing home, finally found it. It's an incredible journey! zoom at your pleasure


p/s Distance between home and cemetery ground = 100m. Sometimes I go home very late at night. Very.

ooooooo0o0o0o00000o0ooo........



Pre Kenya trip blog entry

Fact #1: I'm officially broke. After a somewhat series of unfortunate events (hence the previous earlier blog entry), I end up using some of my 'emergency' money. Maybe justified lah, unfortunate events = emergency also what. If not, I'll end up canceling my WHOLE Kenyan trip and not refunded any single penny/cent!

JPA £££ nowhere to be seen. Hopefully by the end of the week.


Fact #2: I've been jabbed 4 times in 2 weeks. All in the name of avoiding suffering from infections when I return from Kenya. Vaccinations taken: Hep A, DTP, Typhoid, Yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is officially needed to enter African countries. If you refused to get a vaccination, then you'll be forbidden to enter the country.


Fact #3: Despite the some brilliant researchers successfully making you immune against Yellow fever for up to 10 years with just one injection, the £50 (RM350!!!! That's at least 70 nasi ayam! or 70 wantan hor!) fee imposed is still not acceptable.

gee.. thanks, but no thanks


Fact #4: Nairobi City center. That's where I'm going to stay in Nairobi for 3 days when program ends on 25th (I'll be at a faraway city called Kisumu before that). After (the same) series of unfortunate events, I currently don't have a traveling company. It's very hard to contact the rest of my other 20+ friends to check on what they are going to do right after the program ends. Probably I'll get to meet Omair, a course mate who is already there in Kenya (NOW) having fun and becoming wasted.

Well, not like I care. I have traveled alone before this. In a foreign country.

It's very easy for me to imagine how dodgy things will be in Nairobi. However, after looking tthe pictures, things are looking up very brightly actually. It all boils down to this: Wherever you go in this world, you can find both heaven and hell in any one city.


Fact #5: I pay everything for my trip using my own money. How much? Sufficient to say, which otherwise I can afford a very, very luxurious holiday in Europe, and still have gone back home to Malaysia .

Though, I really, really hope the experience I get from Kenya get will be priceless.



CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

*sigh*

Confidence is pretty low now....feel reeeeeeeeeeally small

No, I must be strong


I.... must.......not..........give.............up

never. ever.

Whitechapel at 4 am



You have to have the darkness for the dawn to come.
Harrison Ford



End of July summer


Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.
Desiderius Erasmus


Saturday, July 21, 2007

I S F J

ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life. (Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of "service" is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political controversy; they specialize in the local, the personal, and the practical.)


ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves; for instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to want any sort of reward for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself). (And as low-profile Is, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic Es.) Because of all of this, ISFJs are often overworked, and as a result may suffer from psychosomatic illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities; they are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJs make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but these are personal rather than institutional loyalties; if someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will leave with them, if given the option. Traditional careers for an ISFJ include: teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine (general practice only), clerical and and secretarial work of any kind, and some kinds of administrative careers.


While
their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well. When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior (although, unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned with being "nice" as with strict propriety); if any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children take gleeful advantage of). Over time, however, ISFJs usually mellow, and learn to regard the culprits as harmless eccentrics :-). Needless to say, ISFJs take infinite trouble over meals, gifts, celebrations, etc., for their loved ones--although strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient should want rather than what they do want.


Like
most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure.) Unlike with EPs, the older the friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it. One ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with." Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem.




Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Fountain display

Fancy watching a beautiful water display? This is the all famous Fountain of Bellagio.

Watch it!



I found this while searching for Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's "Time to say goodbye" (Their song is in the background). I didn't know Bocelli is blind!
But their voices are damn powerful!!



p/s Fountain of Bellagio is in Las Vegas, despite the Eiffel Tower.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Academic year review

Congrats, DOCTOR Vasantha and DOCTOR Hani!

Well, good for them. 5 years of training, and now they are already there! After all those hard work and sacrifices they had made, now they finally earned the well-deserved title 'Doctor'

Needless to say, I cannot wait for my turn too. I look forward to be practicing as a medical doctor (whether in Malaysia, or possibly UK). But I think I haven't developed the core knowledge and skills that strong yet . I haven't achieved the kind of maturity that a professional doctor should have.

Duh, Aaron. That's why medical course is 5 years long. And you're not even in 3rd year yet.

Looking back at these years back, I sometimes questioned whether my basic knowledge is solid, given the DIY nature of my medical school. My tendency is such that I go too deep or shallow or certain topics, and I got into trouble when those shallow-ly covered came out. Somehow I felt that some of the exam marks did not correctly justify (or so I thought) my knowledge. I really loved to read some of them in more detail, but I guess exam demands led me to forgo some of those things.

If there's one thing that I can do to change the preclinal years education here at Barts, that would to emphasize a lot 100000000000000X more on anatomy and physiology. I just feel that we're not doing enough of that.

Let bygones be bygones now.

Well, having done my two years here, I look forward to clinical years. I look forward when I get to do the 'real' thing. I can't wait to meet patients - know them, learn about their disease, perform the 'cool' skills that some appear in tv (although that's not the reality). I look forward to the more liberal study approach (i.e more self-directed learning). I don't look forward to writing essays and dissertations though.

Having said that, I'm quite sad that I won't have as much free time as I had these 2 years. I would have less time for myself and people around me. I'll probably find commitment being an issue since some of the things that I'm currently doing (Barts choir, Malaysian society, working part-time, etc) may clash with my medical studies. No matter what, I look forward to do a lot more of other things!

Ahh, medical student rantings!


Sunday, July 08, 2007

Why asian guys can't get white girls?

Something I found very funny (thanks Sarah!)



Well, it did get me thinking.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Move along!

Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking
When you fall everyone sins
Another day and you've had your fill of sinking
With the life held in your
Hands are shaking cold
These hands are meant to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
Move along

So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends
Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving
All the pain held in your
Hands are shaking cold
Your hands are mine to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)

When everything is wrong we move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong, we move along
Along, along, along

When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
[x3]

(Move along)
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
Right back what is wrong
We move along

Kandas

There's time and place for everything,
But how can it go wrong? Where did it go wrong?
I question myself - do I actually make for the cut?
and I still am yet to know;
But my preparations will not go in vain,
As long as there's still chance,
I'll never cease to strive,
With everything that I have,
Again,
I choose move forward

Jabatan Korek dan Timbus beroperasi kembali!

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Holiday!

Finals week

Freedom!!

Durian in England!!!

Makan-makan : Hani's food is really good!

What kind of summer is this?!?!?!!!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Les Miserables


One of my favourite musicals! I watched it last year. And I still can't stop admiring this play!

Want to feel overwhelmed?
Want your mind to be blown away?
Want to karaoke?

Then, listen (and watch) these videos!

Bring him home (his ending is superb!!!!!!! Speechless!!!)


One day more (you get goose bumps after listening to this!)


Castle on a cloud + Master of the house (the 2nd song is very funny!)


Stars


Final act (they get standing ovation at the end of the performance. Discover why)

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Tomorrow comes!

1 day to finals...

Finally, after seeing this on my wall in front of my study table for the past 40 days, 40 nights...

if you're seriously bored, click pic to enlarge and make new discoveries!

YOU. I've been waiting. And tomorrow we shall be re-united!


Saturday, June 23, 2007

Horror story

2 days to finals...



Imagine you are stroling in a park and you suddenly notice this very hot chick/guy. Then you thought, hmmm.... s/he is not bad at all.

Then s/he turns you to and you are staring at her/him.

And s/he stares at you too.

Your heart beats fast.

And funnily enough, s/he then gives a smile. And you're like, "Gee, s/he even smiles at me. Wow. A gorgeous girl/guy smiling a me so meaningfuly I would like to get know her/him right this moment."


Your hearbeat beats even faster now, fueled with excitement.

But suddenly, it stops.

Then suddenly you realized a horrorifying reality: you commit a mortal sin. A sin that is devastatingly very difficult to be atoned for. Your soul cries out: This feeling should not even been there!


Because .... s/he is YOUR very own friend. Your buddy.


Friday, June 22, 2007

Placement; Kings of Convenience

3 days to finals...

Placement
Today my placement for 3rd year has come out - I'm going to Southend, in the district of Essex, London. I'll be on a 13 week stint of clincal training. And I can't really wait, because I'm going to be at a coastal (beach, sea!!!!!) part of England. Being part of the metropolitan city of London helps me to appreciate the sea a lot more (River Thames doesn't count obviously, although I still love walking along there). Can't wait!

Of course, I need to pass my second year finals first!

Kings of convenience


I particularly fell in love with the songs that this group played. Like many fans, I say that their songs have very bosanova tune to it. They are very skilful guitarists, man! I must say their music is very simple (a lot of guitar) yet it's wonderful! I particularly like Misread and Cayman Islands. I just can't stop playing their music in my head now.

Cayman Islands


Misread


This duo have been quite for a long time. And they have existed for a quite a while already, and I only discovered them like last week! I knew I'm missing a lot! If only I knew them earlier...

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Reality check 2

4 days to finals...

How prepared I am? Not prepared? Very prepared?

Denial
.
Bargaining
.
Anger
.
Depression
.
Acceptance




Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Reality check


5 days to Finals...


Back in those good old days, my friends used to ask me:

"Aaron, how come you can score the subjects? I tried a lot of methods already, but I still couldn't get better result."

When I came to KMB, I finally could somewhat understand how it felt like when I was in thrown into the exact situation.

I beg for the answer for the very same question directed to me before this: How do you just do it (so easily)?

Then, to medical school. And the reality is even more gripping.

I try to reason it out, but the more I do it, the more I realize I'm just wasting my time.

Probably a rather short-lived remedy for this dilemma now is: Why even bother?


Tuesday, June 19, 2007

This seems to be more interesting than revising

DwiMonolog dalaman
Latar tempat: Floyer house
Latar masa: 6 hari sebelum Finals; sudah 2 tahun tidak menulis karangan dalam BM


ku tidak peduli sudah, Aaron! Mengapakah aku harus terus mengulangkaji pelajaran?!?!? Aku sudah tahu semua fakta yang perlu diketahui! Mengapakah tidak saja kita berseronok sehinggalah waktu peperiksaan menjelang tiba? Lagipun, tidak ada gunanya engkau harus dicengkam terseksa dalam memaksa diri engkau untuk terus belajar! Kau kena akur Aaron! Kau tidak lagi boleh menyerap sebarang ilmu lagi sekarang. Otak kau sudah sudah tepu!







h, aku tidak peduli itu semua, Aaron! Sekurang-kurangnya, apabila aku membuka nota-nota aku ada sekarang aku masih lagi berkesempatan menduga kelemahan-kelemahan aku agar dapat membariskan wasilah untuk mengatasinya!









ambut aku sudah panjang, Aaron! Berapa lagikah harus aku bertahan sebelum kita boleh mendapatkan khidmat potong rambut? Kita haruslah berkelihatan kemas di hadapan pesakit minggu hadapan. Tambahan pula, pada musim panas ini, tentulah kau tidak akan berasa selasa. Aku khuatir kau tidak dapat menumpukan perhatian semasa menjawab soalan-soalan peperiksaan nanti. Jadi, marilah, berikan masa untuk awak berehat.




h ya, cadangan yang bernas, Aaron. Tapi kita tidak ada duitlah. JPA belum memasukkan duit lagi ke dalam akaun bank kita. Kalau kau hendak juga memotong rambut kau minggu ini juga, nampaknya kita akan menjadi lebih miskinlah. Pengemberaan kau ke Kenya bulan Ogos nanti sudah berjumlah sekurang-kurangnya £1000. Banyak duit tu, Aaron. Kalau aku kaulah, aku boleh balik Malaysia, tau! Kau tu bukannya bekerja cuti ni. Oleh yang demikian, bertambah miskinlah kau!





ampaknya kita sudah membazirkan banyak masa berperang mulut tentang hal-hal yang remeh-temeh. Jomlah belajar. Tinggal 6 hari sahaja lagi sebelum peperiksaan bermula; sedar tak sedar, pada hari pagi Jumaat depan, kita sudah akan bebas merdeka! Yahoooo!






Soalan:

  1. Bincangkan tema dan persoalan-persoalan dalam monolog ini.
  2. Pada pendapat anda, wajarkah pengarang menggunakan teknik 'split personality' dalam menyampaikan nilai dan pengajaran yang cuba diketengahkan?
  3. Patutkah beliau membuang masanya dalam menghasilkan warkah picisan sebegini sebegini walaupun peperiksaan semakin tiba? Ulaskan.


pernyataan: cerita ni sememangnya disengajakan dikaitkan dengan semua insiden hidup seorang manusia yang bernama Aaron. Segala kesalahan tatabahasa memang disengajakan (sebab BM aku memang sudah hancur) Sekian, majulah sukan untuk negara.


Monday, June 04, 2007

My reflection on faith

While searching wikipedia on 'amyloidosis', I accidently came to the article of the religion-sensitive case of Lina Joy in Malaysia, it just made me wonder one thing:

what actually defines your faith? what others decide for you? your religion label? or own choice? or your relationship with God?

_

Monday, May 21, 2007

Interesting facts of the day

These facts are really bizarre if they were actually true!!

  1. In Lebanon , men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.

  2. In Bahrain , a male doctor may legally examine a woman's genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror.

  3. Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers. The sex organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or piece of wood at all times.

  4. The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.

  5. There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside. And deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time. Reason: under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.

  6. In Hong Kong , a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. The husband's illicit lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.

  7. Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool , England - but only in tropical fish stores.

  8. In Cali , Colombia , a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens, her mother must be in n the room to witness the act.

  9. In Santa Cruz , Bolivia , it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.

  10. In Maryland , it is illegal to sell condoms from vending machines with one exception: Prophylactics may be dispensed from a vending machine only "in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises."

  11. Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.

  12. Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.

  13. The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

  14. Butterflies taste with their feet.

  15. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

  16. Starfish don't have brains.

  17. And, the best for last? Turtles can breathe through their butts

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Wahhhhh....

Isn't she gorgeous?????

This is my cousin. Her name is Madalyne. She's a physics undergraduate in UMS. She won the covetous State Level Unduk Ngadau (quasi Beauty Pageant) a couple of years back.


Recently, she just won Miss Sabah. That made her a contestant to Miss Malaysia World 2007 which would be held in KL 25 May. After winning the Unduk Ngadau title, I thought that would be it. Then she proved me otherwise. Well, not her. This news of her achievement I actually know through this site.

Which is rather quite sad, really, because I'm her first cousin, and I knew about this news only after I accidentally found that website. Not from her or even my other family members. We used hang out quite often since we were still kids, especially during school holidays and we all balik kampung. And just talked throughout the time. Yeah, I remember those good old days.

But I guess, things have changed. We have gone on our own path.


Well, good for her. Her looks and intelligence are her blessings. I'm sure there's more.

Of course, my ones are different then hers, and so is everyone else.

Good luck Madalyne. May you win the Miss Malaysia/World title represent Malaysia to Miss World and continue to inspire people around you. I'm proud of you as much as you are proud of me (heh, I still remember the sms that you sent me before I flew to UK).

Indeed, a beautiful Kadazan.


A rather amusing newspaper article in New Straits Times - 19/05

He holds a parang to her neck, robs her and then says sorry

JOHOR BARU: Whatever else you might say about him, this armed robber was certainly polite.

After holding up a businesswoman, putting a parang to her neck, tying her up, taping her mouth shut and demanding her car and valuables, he apologised profusely.

The young and well-dressed dressed robber gently put his hand on her thigh and said: Minta maaflah kak, duit punya pasal saya kena buat macam ini. (I’m sorry sister, I’m doing this because I need the money.)

The 35-year-old principal of a language training centre said a man walked into the office at 7.20pm on Wednesday and began to make enquiries about the courses on offer. There were about six students taking computer lessons in the Taman Molek centre at the time.

"While I was explaining to him, he made a phone call and said ‘line clear’. That’s when I got suspicious.

"I excused myself and called my brother to inform the police. A few seconds later the other robber, who was quite well-dressed, came in with a parang and told me to shut up and surrender.

"They told the students to keep quiet and demanded my valuables and the keys to the car," said K. Malathi.

Concerned for the safety of her students, she did what she was told.

It was just before the pair left that the well-dressed robber apologised to her.

The whole episode was over in eight minutes. The men got away with her Proton Iswara Aeroback and RM5,000 worth of valuables

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!

Ladies and gentlemen, My Mum,my mami, Ms Helen Nanduh


Mami and Grandma (whom I called Indi) - isn't this a sweet picture?

Today being Mother's Day makes me missed home sooooo much! I missed just being in the company of my mum. I missed her nagging of money doesn't grow on trees. I missed how just financially controlled I was by her (and how frustrating that made me!). I missed those days when we could sit and talk just about anything. Accompanying her to do grocery shopping.

Mami, I'm sorry of those times when I rebelled. I'm sorry of those times when I out of bitterness and revenge refused to provide an ear to listen to you and leave you lonely deep inside. I'm sorry of times when you had to face difficult times yourself. I'm sorry of times when you have to make a lot sacrifices just for my sake (all exorbitant items). I have been a selfish boy.

She has been very proud me all this while, I don't know how would I face her if I failed. There was one time when UPSR result came out and she was extremely pleased with this she told everyone that I got SIX A's (the max result was only 5)!! I remember even before JPA scholarship to do medicine application came out, she was already confidently telling everyone that I'm going to get a scholarship to do medicine in UK - it was that specific! Not that she ever pressured me to excel in studies and all that sort of stuff, I guess she was being ... hopeful, like any mother would.

Yeah, she's proud of us all. And I'm proud of her too - of her resilient, loving mother character, of how we must continously improve ourselves as much as possible to have a secured future.


Her pride. She did this on the wall of the house



Happy mothers day, Mami =)


.