Temptations & Ambitions

Post-Taiwan

Been back for quite some time, but I guess I can't write everything here as words could not describe the joy and fun we had there. Salute group 10 EAMSC '07. You all ROXX!!! It'll be quite some time before I might meet you guys. Never knew that it would be this fun. Everyone were sporting, and it was here, I had my 1st exposure of someplace really out of Malaysia. I observe and learn a lot, especially about their University. Brag all you want about our local Universities, all my hopes had gone down the drain when I looked at Taiwan's hospital and Uni. It's definitely demoralising, but guess I will have to bear with it. Had pure fun there, which I really haven't had for a longggg time. Not to be mentioned, there's more above-average pretty girls there. Hehe...

Post-Module 2

Tried my best for the module. Answer all I can. Didn't have any pressure to do well or better. No matter how much we study and remember, we'll still be below par. Other better Universities did not emphasize much on pure mugging and they are not as technically sound as us, but yet they produce better docs. So is it really knowing everything matters? Don't think so. I think this causes me to be dejected such that I had no mood to even read more. I know it's not a good habit, but perhaps it develop cause I strectched myself too hard. Lolz.. I'll see how it goes.

Post-Valentine

A lonely Valentine. Spent it in Times Square alone, although did accompany coursemates for lunch. Alone by choice. Lonely by chance. Walking past the shops and up and down the escalators does bring back memories. I could only feel the 'missing' part in my life. Which I had left vacant myself. And there was nothing there at the 1st place. So, how could I missed something which was not there at the 1st place? Ironic. And life and fate always have their twist. She was there on that day too. With who, I don't know. But, the fact that 2 persons, were at the same place, but just could not bump into each other, for fate does not allow them anymore. Their fate has passed. There is no second chance. That was what that was told. The words were still fresh on my mind, and I had understand the consequences all this while. So, there's no regret, and neither there was chance to regret. That is the rule of the game. And I wonder how those Hong Kong shows can make 2 people bump into each other. Guess Hong Kong must be smaller than Times Square.

Pre-CNY

And here I am, reflecting on most of the things that had passed a long time ago. I'm due for a long period, and my writing skills are rustier day by day, to the extent of hour by hour. I don't know what should I do, for I am not a master in this. Let them come back to me naturally, if God is willing. With this, here I end my blog, as I'm not even in a CNY mood. Happy Chinese New Year.

Tiring Day(s)

of the module, I can feel the heat. This module, "Infection and Immunity" is real hectic. So much to cover in so short a time. Today, I have to continue my read-up on two lecture topics when I had no whatsoever idea by the lecturer who spoke in British accent with the typical British lullaby as well. The topics are so new with so many new terms, it's almost a mission impossible to comprehend much of what she's saying. Even if you do understand the topics by reading up yourself, I doubt you can listen to her. It seems as if the words could enter your left ear and exit on the right immediately. I really doze off after not doing so for about a month. Am I just too tired? Plus, I had a practical session tomorrow which requires us to read up a 25-page material with pure facts and laboratory principles of around 8 methods? Please, I'm drowsy enough. And the addition of a self-learning package that is nevertheless fun,"Cells of the immune system". The only consolation was that I had read up for one of the lecture, the complement system which lasted an hour. The truth was I used up 2 days to digest it. With those classical, lectin and alternative pathways, step-by-step, along with its regulation factors, etc. And it went down with just an hour's lecture. Isn't it just absurd? I don't really think medic is tough. It's the amount of time that we had been deprived of! I'm working almost harder than STPM time. And later, I've to finish up the super-long assignment for PBL regarding meningitis. It seems easy, but with 8-9 causative bacterias, 4-5 viruses and 2 fungal infections, how do I complete everything? Each of its characteristics, pathogenesis, virulence factors, lab investigations, vaccination, management and so-on with its never ending list. I believe all can be done if I had more time! Everything is about DEADLINE!! Cross the line and you're DEAD!!

life. With the preparations for the EAMSC in Taiwan, I had to work twice as hard, half the time. Still looking for the costumes. Got the number from Poh Jeann bout the House of Sabah to get the traditional costumes. Went to Taman Cheras Indah. It was above EON Bank, at Wisma Dergahayu. It was actually a Pejabat Perhubungan Negeri Sabah. Unfortunately, the officer in charge had to take an emergency leave, so I could do nothing. And oh, the unfortunate event today. I left my headlights on at the GH parking, so I couldn't start my car. Dad had to drive from home to jumpstart my car. So basically, the trip to Cheras was swift as I was in my dad's Waja, cruising at an average of 110km/h. Lolz... And now I had to find a way looking for music for the fashion show steps for the traditional steps. Heck, can't they just use simple catwalk? -.-" Haiz, here I am, going to continue my PBL. I'm late!!

The good news is that it's in the afternoon. So, I can sleep a bit later tonight. Not really that I'm worried bout my studies, but rather my clinical skills. This week is the start of group activity with my new PBL 5. No matter what, I still miss my old PBL group 18. We're just starting to get close enough and they had us separated and reshuffle the grouping. Anyway, I still prefer my old PBL because they are more harmonious even right from the start. We clicked on during discussion, and everyone introduce relevant discussion with stimulating discussion, especially on the learning issues. But now seems different. There's more and more questions thrown out during PBL but they remain mostly unsolved. I can help out, but how much can I contribute? Even if I answer all, I will be the dominating, no I am not exchanging information. I'm sure mine might not be 100% correct, but no one seems to be able to spot it if it exists. At least Jo Ee, Sze Wern, Auji, Pija, and a few more could point it out. I don't know, maybe I'm just not used to it yet. Maybe over time, it might not be that bad afterall.
in chronological order. Maybe I'm just not that person who will be meticulous enough. They want to train us to do a super thorough history taking, paediatrics for this session. I still like a free flowing questions, not according to the checklist, but there's too many things that need to be covered! I can't possibly memorise everything in that order? My CS facilitator is a surgeon, who graduate from Glasgow and did his Masters in UKM. He had the typical doctor charisma, and he's a cheeky one at times. I forgot his name though cause I was sitting the furthest away and can't listen clearly anyway. He asked a volunteer to take the patient's parent's role in the 2nd case scenario of fever, diarrhea and vomiting. I gleefully raised my hand and he asked me to take the doc's role. -.-" I still don't undertstand why do we need to get 'exposed' such early when we don't even know how to ask real relevent questions when it comes to differential diagnosis. We could give blind shots at it at most. And below is the checklist for the major things I had to ask:

History of Presenting Illness: Chief complaint ( Plus severity), Chronology (when it occurs, how often the discomfort occurs, whether continuous, intermittent, worsen, constant, better), Associated symptoms (headache, radiating pain, fever), relieving factor, aggravating factor, systemic rebiew (include activity, sleep, behaviour, etc), associated chronic illnesses. Even if it's a pain, we had to ask specifically what type of pain, whether if it's dull, sharp, throbbing, pricking, burning, cholicky, etc. -.-"

Past medical history: Any history of hospitalsation goes under here, including the reasons of admission, type of illnesses, and drug history.

Perinatal history (Special for paediatrics): We have to ask maternal illness, especially during the pregnancy, on any radiation and drugs. Plus, the place of birth, mode of delivery (natural or operational), birth weight, gestational period. Ater that, neonatal jaundice and other complications that may occur had to be asked too.

Dietary history: Duration of breast feeding and bottle feeding had to be taken into account. (Including the formula, frequency and amount) Weaning and current diet had to be taken note as well. Immunisation history of kids had to be confirmed too.

Developmental history: Here is the hard part. Major milestones in the kid's developmental. What if he/she was already 10 years old. Would the parents remember? Is it relevant? When the kid starts to talk, walk, socialising is weird. haha..

Family history: The whole family history had to be asked with a minimal of 3 generations. If I could, mayb I would ask for 18. Consanguinity of the parents had to be asked. Any family allergy or disease have to be checked carefully. Congenital anomalies? Yes too. And ask about the siblings as well, whether the mother had any miscarriages or still birth before.

Social history: Parental occupation, income, housing amenities, parental smoking, drinking or taking drugs or not, home environment and schooling. Not to be left out is child care.


an hour to finish it. And I sometime don't know how can I make it flow so smoothly. Perhaps one day I will find out. Let's just hope so. -.-"

due to the fact that I seldom goes online for long lately. Let's start with 6th January, Yee Choon's birthday. We went to celebrate at Shin-Ichi near KLCC. Of course, the best thing was Lye Soon's car ran out of battery there. So we had to help him jumpstart the car. The birthday boy also helped to lift the car bonnet. 10 guys 1 girl, having 'fun' when we even took pictures at that time. Swt.. So, we burn out some calories before helping ourselves with the Japanese buffet at the restaurant. Yummie!! We chatted and ate there for quite some time. The funniest thing was, almost all the tables there were celebrating birthday occasion!! So, the birthday song was played over and over again for quite some time. Haha... And for the birthday boy, we shared and bought him a pendant of key and keyhole. Plus, a perfume too! He's old enough to use one by now!(21 years old) Sure, we did enjoy ourselves.


At the same time, trying to cover up next module's syallabus. Why? I'm going to Taiwan end of this month!! Skipping lectures for a week is going to be way too cool. I'm going for the East Asian Medical Students Conference in Taipei on 29th Jan-2nd Feb. So I'll be away since 28th til 3rd. There's only 3 1st year students, me, Poh Jeann and Chin Kimg. We are going just to gain some exposure. The rest, can't make it because we decided in such a short notice. Even I had to renew my passport immediately since mine is expiring this May. So, we're going with 7 3rd year seniors, plus some 2nd or 3rd years from IMU and UMS. Looks like we'll be the lil' juniors there. We couldn't help them with the country's presentation much, so we had to help with our Malaysia's cultural show. Chin Kimg was put in charge, and we're planning to have a fashion show displaying various costumes from different ethnics in Malaysia. Hw it's going to be done? I don't know, for the meeting is on this Friday, right after our assessment. -.-" Quite hectic ler.. Have to IMU to meet up with them.

he won't be back for at least, 2 years? But I got HL class this sat morning. Plus, friday got meeting with IMU students until duno when. Hope can end early and go yumcha with him and the rest. Hmmph....

Let's just hope I'm not neglecting my studies. The weirdest thing is, I feel a stronger urge to study more when I go out and enjoy and relax. Seems like the boost is so strong, but with the lack of time? n_n I'll only know by end of this semester. Hehe..

Happy New Year!! I'm still dizzy from yesterday's events. Lack of sleep, what to do. The best part is that I think I developed the rashes from alcohol consumption. My body itches through the night, esoecially my thighs and my butt. -.-" SWT.... Enough is enough. That's it for life. Don't think wanna do it again. Maybe should get sober for a day at least. I'm still scatching my abdominal area as I am typing this. -.-"

So, here's yesterday's events:
5.30pm: Got out of the house. Wai Sun fetched me first before going for a tour around our area picking up one after another, Naresh in Sri Rampai, Yee Choon and his bro in Seksyen 4 mini market bus stop, and Kah Weng at A9 seksyen 4. Then we wait at the ProJet to meet the others. Flora was the earliest there in her mom's CRV. She were having some trouble to pump the tyres. Not her fault, just that the tyre got a bit of problem.
6.00pm: Still waiting for Boon Tat and Seo Ju. Since the Yuen's steamboat will be packed if we go later, Flora went off to Sunway Pyramid first, while picking up Elizabeth there. Naresh, me and Kah Weng followed her CRV.
6.30pm: Reached there at Yuen's steamboat. People mountain, people sea.人山人海。 We were in the waiting list, and there's 30 names above us at least, and 20+ more names in the reserved list who haven't showed up. Looks like our delay is much anticipated. In the end, we went elsewhere. Walked to the steamboat restaurant just opposite of Yuen's restaurant. It's called Summer's Restaurant. The food okla, just that the seafood is not fresh. Haha.. And guess who I saw? Poh Suan and her UM friends. The world is just so small.
8.30pm: Went to Asia Cafe near Taylor's college. Some of us wanna hang there to play pool. As usual, I can only 'swim' in pool, so better don't get myself involved in it. Wai Sun showed off his foosball skills. I've seen the machine many times, but this is the first time I had a real kick on it. Quite fun, and learnt a lot. And in pool, Seo Ju was the professional. She beat Kah Weng and Wai Sun too. Hahaha....
10.30pm: We left Asia Cafe. Planned to go to a club near Sunway Pyramid but the place was jammed. So, went to other place, drove till Bangsar. Reached C18 around 11.30pm. Celebratd New Year there, a place that I don't think that I will wanna go again. Sob..
12.00am: The countdown, and it's a new year! Little did I realised that there was a little girl brought in by her parents there. Bet she wants to have early exposure. Lolz..
1.00am: Wai Sun drove a few of us home, me, Naresh, Yee Choon and Yee Chang. The rest stayed there. The city was jammed. Saw so many Indonesians enough to start a riot or a battalion of army to takeover KL. Swt... Reached home around 2am.
2.30am: Started to blog a while, and hang around because just can't sleep yet until I cool off my body. Guess I'm a bit drunk(but still sane).
3.30am: Happy New Year! That was what I said to 'Chau Gong' at this time. Then I continued playing chess with him. -.-"

1st January 2007

2.34am: A new year! A new life! A new journey, a new beginning. Just got back from a club (disco if u duno what a club is) in Bangsar. The name's C18, but it doesn't matter anymore, cos I won't be there again. It's near the NSTP and China Press building. What we did inside, I can only tell a bit cos there's something better left untold. There were ten of us: Wai Sun, Yee Choon, Yee Chang(Yee Choon's younger bro), Naresh, Kah Weng, Boon Tat, Seo Ju, Flora, Elizabeth, and me of course. Quite an experience for a few of us cos we are still 'virgins'. But then again, for Elizabeth and Kah Weng, they were the frequent clubbers. The bass of the music was too much to bear, more powerful than the hospital defribrillator. I bet it can get a still heart beating again. By the time I got out of that place, my ears are ringing in a loud pitch, screeching across my senses. My pants were shaking in resonance to the beat of the music. The lights were flashing dizzying moments all the time. Maybe I'm the least drinker, only 2 glasses. (A shot of Chivas Regal mixed with coke for each glass). Can see that Yee Chang, who's only 17 by 2007(underage) took two pure shots of it without any flinch. Ewh, I'll drop dead if I do that. Kah Weng were there showing his smooth shuffling moves, which he said that he had trained for 2 years. What an effort! Cool and slicky, maybe I'll try DIY at home. Hehe.. Still feeling heavy on the head, and I was wondering if I'm doing a practical on it. Just two days ago, I was having a lecture on Alcohol Metabolism and its effects. Bet I got some of it quite understood by now. -.-" Not been studying today, so bet gonna sleep early and retell my tales. So, have a merry merry new year!! n_n