Tiring day. And am catching a cold. :-( Another 7 days to go.

Happy Valentine's Day! One is never too old for romance, :-D as one of the patients on the ward tells me.

Little blessings that I thank God for:

- The fact that the machine that validates the bus tickets is spoilt so I got to sit on the bus for free this morning.

- Everyone was stable and there were no emergencies.

- That everyone in my work environment is lovely and helpful and kind.

- That God never ceases to remind me about His providence in all aspects of my life.

Also, something I was mulling over today when I went to see the patients in my unit:

I remember how as a patient, I was irritated when I only saw the doctors once in the day. How I felt neglected and uncared for. And it is this experience that I try to remind myself of when I go about my day at work. To remind myself to try wearing my patients' shoes. To try to do what I can for their best interests. It is astonishingly easy to get lost in the paperwork. But the patients' care lies at the heart of the healing profession. And this is not found solely in all the referrals or discharge summaries in the world. But to have compassion and sincerely desiring to know them better.

So Valentine's Day is in approximately 45 minutes. Was thinking about the notion of a day dedicated to love and romance. And you know, although many people have questioned the reason for just a day (out of 365 days in a year) dedicated to cherishing loved ones, I also cannot help but wonder if it's precisely that reason that it becomes special. Not to say that one should go about the ignoring said loved ones for the rest of the year, but to just take that special effort to let that someone know that they are loved.

It's incredible how in a world of almost 7 billion people, so many are still lonely.

Also just a shout out to my family and close friends: I love you all very much and there'll be someone who's thinking of you come 14 February 2012.

I'm so tired I can't sleep. Sigh.

So today I was asked to identify an accessory nipple, which I did and the consultant assumed I was from Melbourne University. Should I feel happy or insulted? LOL.

Something I found interesting today:

Was on the bus to work and sat behind one of the local ladies. Who happened to be watching KPop music videos on her iPhone. So I got to watch snippets of B2st's Soom, DBSK's Before You Go dance version and 2NE1's Ugly before she got off. LOL. Not a bad way to spend the bus trip if I must say so myself.

A face in the crowd...

For all that we struggle against conforming and strive for individuality and announce our uniqueness to the world, we are but faces in the crowd. In the crowd of so many, you are one mass of pixelated colour immortalised in a picture that captures the moments representing slices of life. A smile. A jump. That fleeting joy. A face that is caught up in nostalgia. Despite being a face out of so many, that picture evokes emotions powerful and memories deep. It isn't so bad, to be a face in the crowd.

Nov 16 2011 - The day Monash Medicine Class of 2011 snapped a pearl for memory's golden casket. On the cusp of conquering the world of adulthood and responsibilities. This is one for keeps. :D

Photo credit to http://leechinyentravel.blogspot.com/.

Happy Birthday, Fi!

On the off chance that you still read my blog, happy 26th birthday!

Celebrate it with loved ones to create wonderful, beautiful memories to treasure. :P

I thank God that He made you my sister - funny, sarcastic, blunt you.

A protector, even if you do not think of yourself that way.

A friend, whom I've fought and made up with so many times, sometimes over issues so trivial they are quickly forgotten.

A confidante, with whom I can be myself.

So dear sis, have a happy birthday!

Been listening to Tablo's Home ft Lee Sora. It's gorgeous and heartbreaking, so emotive and meaningful. I am in love with the arrangement, especially the piano accompaniment. I want to learn it!

Tangan yang Menggapai

Merenungi tubuh yang tak bermaya
Dan mengusapi wajah penuh duka
Malang yang menimpanya kini menghantui kita
Apalah dosa hingga kau didera

Ketika kau memerlukan kasih serta belaian
Kau menjadi sasaran kezaliman

Jeritan suara
Titisan air mata
Tiada siapa yang endah

Tangan yang mengapai
Akhir layu terkulai
Seluruh harapannya berderai

Merenungi tubuh yang tak bermaya
Dan mengusapi wajah penuh luka
Malang yang menimpanya kini menghantui kita
Apalah dosa hingga kau didera

Ketika kau memerlukan kasih serta belaian
Kau menjadi sasaran kezaliman

Ke manakah hilang
Peri kemanusiaan
Bekalan tuhan untuk insan

Atas kesedaran
Mari kita pastikan
Kisah yang sedih
Tidak berulang

In honour of Malaysia's 54th birthday...

SEJAHTERA MALAYSIA

Puji dan syukur pada Ilahi,
AnugerahNya tiada terhingga,
Kedamaian kemakmuran,
Malaysiaku bahagia.

Dengan tekad untuk berjaya,
Berbakti pada nusa dan bangsa,
Kami junjung cita-cita luhur,
Perpaduan seluruh negeri.

Seia sekata sehati sejiwa,
Menghadapi cabaran,
Kami sedia kami setia,
Berkorban untuk negara.

Bersemarak Malaysia tercinta,
Kibarkan panji kebesarannya,
Kami rela menjaga namamu,
Sejahtera Malaysia.

One of my favourite patriotic songs haha. I remember watching the ad when I was a kid and waiting for my favourite shows to start on RTM2 and this song would be aired. I remember how they used people of different races to sing lines of the song, how the Chinese woman would come on first and then the Indian lady with her beautiful sari and how they included the ethnic races of Eastern Malaysia as well. Fond memories. =)

I got a job offer from Eastern Health! :D I'm beyond ecstatic! I really thank God for the providence and thank all the people who have been keeping all the 5th years in prayer. It's amazing. And I cannot help but smile.

Happiness is...

Happiness is...

... laughter and shrieks and flailing arms even as we fall when we attempt to ice skate.

... hands held in prayer, a symbol of unity even as circumstances challenge.

... a good meal shared amongst friends, with no set conversation topics, yet without awkward silences.

... an unexpected snack because someone remembered and thought of me.

... a trip down memory lane whether it is by a snatch of a song, or a scene in a movie long thought forgotten and dismissed as missing.

... a 3 day weekend. =)

Job applications and all...

So I went to the Medical Careers' Expo yesterday at the Melbourne Park Function Centre to find out more about next year's intern intake. The statistics are not in my favour, but I'll give it my best shot. Because of the increase in universities offering a post graduate MBBS, the number of graduates this year is significantly higher than it has been in previous years. This means that there is a significantly larger proportion of Group 1 candidates who will definitely be matched with a health service in Victoria and thus, fewer jobs for Group 2 candidates. I'm definitely praying hard for an offer and I will persist in pressing on. Yes, I'm worried that only 10% of the intern places next year will be available for Group 2 candidates, but at the same time, I also know that there's nothing I can do to change that number. What I can do is to make sure that my CV is polished, my cover letters are written, my references completed and that I do my research prior to the interviews in addition to prayer. And yes, I know the situation seems desperate, but at the same time, somehow, there is a sense of peace in me. I'm not sure if that means I will definitely get a job here (which I'm hoping it is) but I guess regardless of the outcome, I know that God's hand is at work and He will lead me through this time of uncertainty. The knowledge that He is in control and has the best plans for His children goes a long way in calming my nerves and helping me accept what happens. I guess I am blessed and fortunate in that sense.

Strength of a bear, hair of a lion, appetite of both. =D

Just got back from life group, in which we saw William marry Kate, ate really yummy chicken curry/tau yew bak/sambal brinjal/cookies/bread pudding/sweet potato doughnuts, laughed and listened to Romans 12:1-2, 12-18 be read. I'm just really high at the moment, being on holiday, chatting to people, irritating people and really letting my hair down. And I'm glad that these people are the people I will share my life with, whether it has been the entire 5 years I've been in Melbourne, or just a year or two. I've learnt to relax, be less reserved, be more joyful, to smile and not be afraid of smiling thanks to these people. I've learnt to be comfortable in my own skin, to really let loose my wacky side, to laugh out loud with my mouth open wide. It's just amazing.

Being a medical student can be stressful and there have been many times where I've complained about time constraints and the burden of the sheer bulk of material we have to cover, but then I think again, and it's thanks to God placing me to read medicine in Monash Uni that I've come to know these precious people, not just superficially as acquaintances, but really just on that deeper level, extending the boundaries to encroach on true sisterhood/sibling-hood in Christ.

Looking back at the past 4 years, the journey has been enjoyable and when I compare myself now with how I was back then when I was a first year medical student, the difference is remarkable. I did not dare say a prayer out loud then, even giving thanks was a struggle, but I praise Him for helping me overcome that fear. Even in my studies, He has been faithful and I just realised how far He has guided me when I was talking to one of the juniors on the subject of taking histories and what questions to ask. Also for the people who have been with me since pre-university, or even just upon arrival in Melbourne but whom I am able to share with even if we're not in the same church, I am blessed. Family-wise as well, that everything has run smoothly so far, with Mummy and Papa just a phone call away when the going gets tough, and Che-che and Fiona to talk shop, catch up on what's happening or even to just recommend the occasional drama to one another, and Coach and Sheldon for advice whenever this Luddite needs something technologically advanced.

And for that 2 best friends of mine, with whom I immediately let my real self be known, thank you for being a pillar of strength and just really being there to be as deep or as superficial as time dictates. =D

This may be long and maudlin but I'd like to have it on record here so that when the Christina of the future decides to read this blog, she'll know that on 29/04/11, this is what was running through her mind. In black and white. =D

Easter and holidays

I just came back from the Oceania Convention at Phillip Island. It was a really amazing experience just personally encountering God, learning how to better serve in ministry, getting to extend fellowship beyond just friends but to a real sisterhood and just really soaking in and being refreshed by Him. =D From BGR talks in a cabin late at night, playing Saboteur with the youths, having a cup noodle party the final night, to playing in a mixed team and just really letting the Spirit guide us through, to a sharing of childhood dreams and future callings, I've been abundantly blessed by this year's Easter. There was something different about this year's OC, and it is now my fervent prayer that we do not let this die down. =D

So I'm on my vacation rotation and one question I've been asked is how I plan to spend this holidays. Well, I really just want to rest and relax, and the only things I've got on agenda is to go to Canberra to renew my passport as well as all the hospital information days. I guess I am really glad for the opportunity to just do nothing and just really focus on job applications. And to start the next rotation really enthusiastic and excited, not exhausted. =D

Always so tired... cannot think so negatively.

Ibuprofen 200mg works wonders!

Last Friday was a day of lectures back on campus. And I realised that while I enjoy hospital rotations as a taste of life as a doctor, I also miss the days of campus shenanigans, when we could all sit and have lunch together and chat, relax, recharge with coffees and just be a student through and through. It was refreshing, even if the content could have been much improved. =D It also made me realise how much I whined on this blog in 2008, when I was in 2nd year, about the schedule of lectures and tutorials and what I thought were early starts.

I want a foot massage! Had a long day in the hospital, and I was on my feet for most of the time. Thank God for Bata shoes which are comfy even if they don't look that great. =D

And I remember watching this back in first year. The impact is no less wrenching 4 years down the track...

Sometimes we complain about the cross, we bear not realizing that it’s preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot…