Weekend at home...

I'm back from Warragul for the weekend. Rural placement is not too bad, and I especially enjoyed the GP visit and hospital visit, even if I was tired by the end of it. Accommodation is really good, I share a cabin with Tamishta and Jane and all basic amenities are provided. They even give us towels and soap bars. =) If only they had Internet as well... ah well, I suppose that's what the hospital library is for, though I feel awkward using the Internet there... almost like an usurper. Had an indigenous day with a barbeque lunch with the Inverloch and Churchill people as well. That was fun - all the catching up with one another, lol, comparing experiences, sharing grievances... hehe.
Nothing much else, I guess. Life goes on. Time never stops. The clock continues its ticking ceaselessly. =) Random, eh? =)

Birthday wishes for a friend...

Just a short one...
HAPPY 20th WANJIE!! Hope you enjoyed today!!

Just a jot...

Ok, first things first:

To Che-che, just in case you read my blog, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope you have a great one filled with wonderful memories. I'll give you your gift end of this year, ok? And the card may be late, but rest assured, I did sent one out. =) Lots of love from Chris in Melbourne.

Wan Jie woke me up today. Haha. Had class from 8am till 3: Lecture-lecture-break-tutorial. It was freezing due to the intermittent rain. Not unlike yesterday in EH4 where we sat for the exams. Was a little tired, but definitely better now as compared to before Mid-Sem.

Had lunch with Ryan, Sheryl, Dilys and Jessica. Then went to John Medley for a bit. And halfway through, a guy in a tiger suit walked in to advertise some event, which I unfortunately did not catch. Haha. Ravind did not attend clinical skills today, so my plan for the presentation was scrapped. Thankfully Anna wanted to get her blood pressure taken and was willing to be my patient. And we went through ECGs and CV and Resp examination.

That's today... and once more, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHE-CHE!

Disappointment and relief...

Exams are over, but I know I made a lot of careless stupid mistakes. My heart was sinking during the exam debrief today. What was even more frustrating was that there were answers that I got right, but actually changed to the wrong ones. And I cannot help but berate myself for doing so, even more so as this wouldn't be my first time. All my fears... have sort of come true... =(

But I am thankful that it is over and I can catch up on some of the sleep I've been deprived of. The past week has been one of the most stressful for me. I am grateful though to all those who had an encouraging word for me, and for the unwavering support they showed me. I can only pray that I won't disappoint them. Thanks, you guys!

And yesterday was officially the final placement for CBP. We were treated really wonderfully by the organisation... they were understanding and willing to accommodate us. And I learnt so much going there that I would not have in the standard lecture-tutorial system. The only aspect of placement I do not like is the HP component of it. The organisation treated us to lunch and even bought a rainbow cake with 'Thank You and Good Luck' on it. =) Really touched by their hospitality.

And as I was walking to Ivy's house today, I saw the sun set. And the myriad of colours painted in the canvas of the sky was reallyy breathtaking. And lifted my spirits too. =) So now, I'm feeling ok. Not as good as I hope I will be, but better than earlier. *smiles*

Worried...

Have you felt so tired that everything you do seems fruitless? Or made you feel like banging your head against the wall because of the sheer futility of it all? I feel like I'm at the end of my tether, but I can't afford to, because the exam's on Wednesday! And yet, I feel like my head is stuffed with cotton wool, for the sheer lack of substance it contains... I feel bad, because of all the ganbattes and jia yous I have received from my family and friends... but I have this sinking feeling about Wednesday. I'm afraid. Like really afraid. I feel really unprepared for this exam. How?

Randomness...

I was almost late again today. I stayed up to study, because I study better at night. And I woke up late! 7.40 today, and first lecture was at 8. Managed to make it on time, thankfully. And had a 4 hour break after that. So I went to the MUISS lounge to nap for a bit, then to the John Medley library to study. I want a study break! Then at least I can study till late and still not be as sleep deprived as I am now. And I don't know why, but I can't seem to absorb as much as I usually do when I study. I can read the same page 3 times and still not know what it says. =(

But I will persevere. I wish it was next week now. And exam's over. But I called home yesterday and talked to Mummy until my Birdy card credit ran out. That cheered me up. =) Talking to family does wonders. I love my family! =)

Short post I know, but I have to go back to my lecture notes. I'll write more once my exams are over. =)

Big events are made out of little things...

CBP today went quite well, I think. Had quite a fun day too! Actually I woke up feeling like I didn't want to get up at all, as if I was at odds with the world in general. I was just so tired and sleepy, and all I wanted to do was to jump back into bed. And then I found out that someone ate up my Corn Thins which I was planning on bringing to placement today for lunch. And the worst thing was that that person actually had the gall to open my cupboard door and do so! I remember distinctly that I placed said food item on top of the peanut butter in the brown box where I keep my plates, bowls, coffee, chilli sauces and oil. And when I rummaged through it to make my cuppa this morning, the whole thing was gone, and my peanut butter jar was knocked askew. I was so angry - the inconsiderate person didn't even write a note to apologise. You'd think that if someone was smart enough to be accepted into uni, he or she should know that if a cupboard is occuppied and you did not buy the food it contains, the food doesn't belong to you, you doofus!

Sorry for that rant. That was not meant to be the point of this post. So anyway, I wasn't in the best of moods when I left Halls today. I thought that I would sleep in the bus on the way to placement, but surprisingly, was awake for most of the trip. And I got to listen to 'Try to Remember' on the radio. It's one of my favourite songs. And when I got to placement, I had fun and enjoyed myself. I got to spend time with some clients I've spent time with before. And the person in charge was so passionate about her job, it was infectious. And she has so many ideas and plans that we felt useful today. Like we could contribute something to aid them, instead of being in the way, because most of us have no experience dealing with the clients, and to the clients, routine is of extreme importance. But today was great. Painted nails, chatted, helped with PowerPoint slides, and lunch... little things that add up to a wonderful warm sensation.

It's astonishing how one's perspective can be altered with just a single moment in time. I was feeling belligerent, irritable, and snappish but the small but momentous breakthroughs changed my outlook. Simple things like a client finishing lunch, the clients' laughter, the minuscule but no less crucial increase in conversation... it was a good day today. =) Some days, you come home drained and exhausted, after hours of trying to establish rapport and initiating conversation... when it seems fruitless and akin to banging one's head against a brick wall... but not today. Warm sun against my face in the bus, where I am sheltered from the wind... the smiles on the clients' faces... the music from an Elvis movie... these are the things I want to take with me from today's CBP. =)

Today was not too bad, I think...

I woke up late today, and would have probably missed the 8am lecture if Wan Jie had not knocked on my door this morning. So, thank you! And then, on my way to uni, in the rain, I stepped into this puddle of epic proportions, such that my shoes, socks and legs of my tracksuit were soaked. And I mean literally soaked. Every time I moved a step, I could feel my socks and shoes going 'squish'. So much for keeping my feet warm! Haha. Anyway, had lecture-PCL-lecture before lunch. Went to the toilet during lunch to dry my wet footwear under the automated hand dryer, but it did not make much of a difference. So squished my way to lecture and histo prac. It was not a very comfortable experience, but I survived! Thankfully my day in uni ended at 3, hurrah for that! =)
Got home, checked my mailbox, and what do you know, I got the yellow card telling me I've received a parcel! And guess what that parcel contained?

This:


A hoodie from the UK! All courtesy of one cool sister! It really made my day, I tell you, and all the squishing and walking in the persistent drizzle suddenly seemed waaaay more bearable. =) Thanks a million Fi! Thank you thank you thank you! =) So because my shoes, socks and tracksuit were wet, I did my laundry and washed my shoes. Mundane and dreary much? Welcome to my life, lol! Then cooked pasta and ate a kiwifruit and a pear. Haha. And a few TimTams. Lol.

And as evidence of my growing reliance on coffee, had a cuppa to provide sustenance such that I can last the night. Why oh why did I choose Med again? Sigh... actually, come to think of it, it's not the subject that I dislike, it's the fact that I have to sit exams that I dread.

Ah well, today reminded me that I have a lot that I should be grateful for, good friends who watch out for you and family members who call or send love packages to let you know they care. So thank you Wan Jie, Fi, and Mummy! Love you guys, and to Fi and Mummy, miss you loads...

Signing off now! (And , back to the books!)

Tired...

Exam's in less than 2 weeks! And been feeling tired the whole week. Most likely because the time table's been packed. Which brings back memories of last semester. I think I need more coffee. I need to be more alert during HLSD lectures. Celebrated Jocelyn's 21st on Tuesday, went over to Fawn's place on Wednesday, stayed in my room on Thursday and had care group yesterday. Taught Fawn, Yu Wan, Wan Jie the HC mass dance. Recited nursery rhymes and did a little trivia. Discussed fairy tales and how they always seem so morbid and how some actually have questionable morals. Haha. Studied on Thursday. Lol. And tried to watch the whole Olympics opening ceremony, but fell asleep halfway and when I woke up, it was over. =(

Haha. Nothing spectacular happened. Just the usual.

Love...

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.

It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

I Corinthians 13:4-8

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.
And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.
(Oct. 1986)

Elie Wiesel.

Sometimes, I think it's difficult to love. It's easier to ignore people who have hurt us, or to let little hurts become gaping wounds, to let anger turn to resentment. I think it's a challenge to forgive people out of love, especially if we think they are at fault. But love is meant to be unconditional. That it's not in spite of the flaws, the blemishes, the imperfections, but because of them. That we love because we love, not because they have helped us, or because we stand to gain by loving these people, not because they are easy to love, but because we want to. I don't know, part of me, the cynical side I suppose, tells me that to do so is too optimistic, the other part of me chides my heart for even entertaining such beliefs that it's too naive.

And love is not limited to passionate romance but is also found in little gestures and the nurturing warmth of family and friends... the comfort of security, the sense of belonging, the care shown. There shouldn't be perceptions of loneliness amidst the many, or of isolation and alienation by those close, or an ease in choosing solitude over company in the presence of love. Love makes solitude unbearable. And separation painful. Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes sums it up below:

I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each others' dreams, we can be together all the time.

I guess that kind of love is near impossible to achieve today... no one really knows what lies in a person's heart except for the person himself/herself. Who knows?

Pictionary...

Guess who this is...

Guess what the arrow is pointing to...


Guess who the person is...

Guess what this is...

Guess what this is...

Guess what this is...

Answers if requested! =)

Steamboat!

It's late and I've church tomorrow but I'm still quite hyped after the steamboat at Sheryl's. It was great! Good food, great company, games and chatter... what more could one ask for? Haha. We had loads of fish balls, sotong balls, prawn balls, crabsticks, prawns and fish, not to mention vermicelli and chinese cabbage. And the chilli was spicy too! =) Yum. Was stuffed to the brim when we were done. We attempted to take a history in Malay and gave up finally when we realised we were getting no where. Haha. It was quite funny though, because Chau Wang was the doctor and then when he gave up, he became an English speaking specialist. LOL. Started singing songs and/or reciting poems randomly. Both Chinese and English ones. Can't remember how that started. It was quite out of the blue, I know. Then we played Pictionary. Haha. It was me and Lin vs Chau Wang and Nooi Hoay vs Yu Wan and Sheryl vs Tae and Ryan/Jessica. Haha. Loads of fun we had. Lin and I seemed to have the worst luck with throwing dices, but we prevailed in the end. Haha. And the drawings were so random and adorable... and we had to draw things like steroid, space station, Robin Hood, Michael Jackson, photocopier, multi media and plastic surgery, just to name a few. Haha. Laughed so much I started coughing. Haha.

I guess it's the little things like this that make one's day memorable, events like this which one reminisces about in the future. Mementoes of times of fun, the joy and laughter weaved within the fabric of one's mind, the treasures commonly missed in times of stress and anxiety - that's what tonight meant for me. I think I was reminded this week to appreciate friends. And to constantly renew friendships that have been formed, to not let them dry off and wither, but to nurture and refresh them anew. Spending time together, even with the seemingly insignificant activities like having ice-cream together, daily lunches in uni, or simple conversations, does wonders for the soul. Or even spamming each other's cboxes if distance makes it impossible to be in the others' proximity. I'm constantly reminded of how grateful I am this year, for the blessings that I have. And the happiness that surrounds me. In all the people that I meet, and get to know and come to value. For the friends who stay in touch in spite of distance or time differences. And those I see everyday and accept me into their circles. And for the people who guide me out of the wilderness and darkness and leave their footprints in my heart. And no matter how routine my life is, or how boring, it's comforting to know that these people are out there. =)

So tonight was great! Thanks to all who helped me make it! Cheers!

Week 3 and SPC are OVEEEEERR!!

Okay, recap of what happened this week. On Wednesday, which was day after CBP, I had only 3 hours of class! o_O And hooray for 9am starts! But ended up spending an extra 3 hours practising the SPC presentation in the Anatomy Lab. We had the same lecturer we had on Monday. And he was as scary as ever, asking questions on statistics. And on the hormones involved in menstruation. But I wasn't asked any, so I'm quite happy. =) Haha. And some guys found the fact that menstrual blood doesn't clot to be a revelation. The first 2 lectures were Knowledge Management lectures, ie Theme 2, and the notes for the 2nd one was 23 pages long! It went ok. Had lunch with Ravind, Adilah, Li Ping, Grace, Ivie, Jessica at Cinque Lire. Technically speaking though, I had actually finished lunch by the time Adilah and I realised that the rest were at the cafe. Lol. Talk about absent minded, eh? Chatted about Dark Knight, Heath Ledger and our favourite movies. Haha. Left earlier because I am obsessed about punctuality. I don't like being late. End of story. Haha.

Yesterday was quite an interesting day. Had a Clinical Skills lecture in the morning on how to take a complete reproductive system history. And the lecturer showed us a video of a Pap smear being conducted, and I think the simulated patient was just a tad too enthusiastic about having one. Anyway after that was the SPC presentation which went ok, in my opinion. I had my PCL tutor from last semester evaluating and assessing our presentation and the feedback she gave was positive, so am remaining hopeful for this one. Fingers crossed! Had lunch at Campus Centre and then had a Clinical Skills tute. Went for dinner at Nando's with Yu Wan, Fawn, Sam, Joab, Jocelyn, Ivy, Sophie, Han, Cherlyn, Tiffany and their friend. Zepeng joined us later. Then went to Fawn's to see Dandenong, their white mouse. She's adorable! Wish I remembered to take a picture of her... and then we chatted about weird and random subjects ranging from reproductive history to regrets to our love languages. Basic girl talk, I suppose. But it was good to catch up with them, because aside from care group, we don't basically get to hang out much. At school, we're generally polarised and spend the breaks we have with our own cliques. Which is why I suppose last night was timely. So thanks, Fawn and Yu Wan! Really enjoyed the time shared yesterday. =) And Wan Jie was still up baking really delicious choc chip cookies when I was about to shower. Talked shop for a bit. =) But am glad for the idle chatter. Helps in getting to know the person better, right?

Today, I woke up at 6.45-ish. Sat in front of the heater for a moment to warm up before knocking to make sure Wan Jie's up and making my necessary cup of coffee. Following which, I resumed sitting in front of the heater. Haha. Anyway, went for the Health Promotion tute which started at 8am. But was slightly late because of an unexpected date with the toilet. As the tute was arranged for project purposes, we ended up not really doing anything, so I collected my CLI and we adjourned early. I spent that break with Nobia and Aruna at the Den. We had 2 lectures after that, lunch and PCL. HAHA, the skit in PCL was hilarious. Did my grocery shopping, and cooked chicken curry for care group. Admittedly, the paste comes from the packet though. =P Went for care group where we've just started studying Deuteronomy. And had banana-Mars bar cake for dessert courtesy of Fawn. =)

So here I am. I'll most likely go for Sheryl's steamboat tomorrow night. =) Should be a fun event! =)