Various starting lines occurred to me for this post, among which were "I PASSED" and "LOLWIN", except the inaccuracy of those statements sort of got me. You see, the Biochemistry department has a particularly sadistic tendency in exams: when there are biochem MCQ questions, they wait for your OAS (the shading paper) to be collected, then proceed to UNLOAD the answers right on top of your heads, literally 5 minutes from the end of it. All you have is your question sheet (probably with your own answers written down), a pencil to write all the correct answers down, and your head in your hands. Ok seriously, I understand it as an attempt to sort of make the most out of the learning experience the test could be, by supplying us with the right answers. The thing is, counter-intuitive to this is the fact that our question sheets then disappear within minutes of the OAS, and seconds after all the answers have been read out. We sort of never see our question sheets again.

Well, as a result of that fiendish ordeal, I did get my score for half of the MCQs on the paper (which accounts for just under 50%). Wasn't a fantastic result. At all. Far from it, in fact. As of the time of this writing, I still have not encountered another student who obtained a score lower than mine on the biochem MCQs. Well, on the brighter side, it was still a pass, albeit a borderline, mediocre pass that has warning written all over it. Can't say I'm happy with it, but definitely can't say I expected anything more either really. There's still the rest of the exam left to be marked, but honestly I would have to be really bad to actually fail after passing this half.

Still, I simply left too much studying to the end to cope decently. I have learned something from this first term though: when you don't have teachers that care about ensuring you ace exams anymore, sacrifice is called for. Resolution here! At the end of the week, at least try to have gone over all the lectures that week once at some point. And we shall run this setup through the next set of trials. (So anticlimatic, I know. The thing is, I haven't even done that consistently for the last few months, so a few basic study habits are in order, one small step at a time. Cut me some slack!)

We actually had an OG study session, sort of, on Wednesday night (Yes! I succeeded!). Was thanks to Lynnette really... I was supposed to go post a message on the Yahoo Group calling for people to join, but I just totally blanked out wondering what to say, but Lynnette did it for me, and it was perfect =) we had a pretty good turnout too. Honestly, I don't know about everyone else, but I thought that it wasn't only much more fun than sitting alone in your room mugging, it was productive as well. I probably learnt more discussing and opening stuff up that night than I did in all my studying up to that point. So, thanks out from me to all those who turned up, skeptical and furtive... You guys helped me pass!! Just hope I'm not the only one who got something out of it, because that would be... Let's just say I'll have to find another way if that's the case. Feedback appreciated please~! (And please be truthful =/)

Well, the real highlight of the week was really the exam day itself! I know what you're thinking-- The CA was merely a setback! You sad, sad person right? Well actually, in some sense. I honestly don't know anyone else who would go back for lectures after their exams. But still, it happened. They somehow managed to schedule a two hour lecture from 3-5pm in the afternoon, when our exam ended at 12+. Like, come onnnnn?! Oh well, it was what happened after that made it bearable. After 5pm, we went down to the Multi-Purpose Sports Hall (MPSH) and played some badminton =D. It's been ages since I've played, but it was actually quite fun (despite my embarrassing attempts to land a blow on the shuttle cock at all), especially playing with friends.

After that, those of us with rooms at NUS headed back, trailed by whoever didn't to wash up and stuff, before we all headed off for dinner~! Weixin was lucky enough to witness my biologically hazardous and unstable room (the aftermath of studying the night before)... I got a shock myself when I stepped into the room. Like, wow, this was what happened last night? Looked like a mini-hurricane hit or something. Anyway, after that we all met back and headed down to Holland Village, to Crystal Jade where we had the Xiao Long Bao buffet! It was really cheap, especially for an à la carte buffet, with a steamboat (hotpot) too. I've never consciously tasted Xiao Long Bao's before, and they definitely lived up to the hype (we've been talking about it for ages before the exam, with people making wild and extravagant claims about how delicious they were). I've got to say, I really liked the food, despite not being a great fan of chinese food. Actually, it hasn't occured to me that I didn't like Chinese food at some point for a while now. Taste buds adapting? Anyway, altogether we ordered and finished ~45 Longs of Xiao Long Bao (for quantification's sake, one Long contains 5 Baos, which are each one mouthful of goodness exactly). That actually comes to something around 225 Xiao Long Baos (GG kudos to the chef btw, those things definitely did not look easy to prepare either). This not including the steamboat, and everything else we ate. I ate 3 Longs myself, while Ben managed a whopping 10 Longs by himself (that's 50 Xiao Long Baos. GG.). Was a lovely dinner overall, lighthearted chatter -completely unrelated- to the exam we had JUST THAT MORNING. Thank goodness the exam euphoria ran out before then. Really a nice feeling just spending time with the OG after the first taste of stress, which we weathered fairly well I would say. Though not the whole OG turned up (when is that ever the case), it didn't really matter, since the core group were all present =P. We celebrated Nick's birthday at the same time, somehow the coordination managed not to crumble in front of us lol... At least I'm sure he appreciated the effort and the rest that was put into arranging it.

While the day ended here for most, a few of us (Nick, Nikki, Ben and I) actually headed back to King Edward Hall and watched a movie, at 1.30am in the morning (and me suffering from a severe bout of acid reflex I tend to get after overeating). If you haven't seen The Bucket List, I highly recommend it. If you're bothering to read this blog at all, trust me, you'd probably appreciate it =). I'm not really a fan of literature/english-ish analytical films, but this one was different, somehow. Who knows, might just have been the late hour and my severely disrupted senses from the acid. Still, pretty rare finding such films in mordern film nowadays that manage to succeed.

Yeah, so Friday night was awesome, probably the most fun I've had in a while (IRL lol). Probably won't be seeing this happen much, so might as well make full use of the opportunity and just have fun while we can. That appears to be Med School for you (this from a freshman 3 months in).

Oh yes, I went down to Mustafa Centre today to restock on some things that don't normally need overfrequent restocks. Was quite interesting seeing the increased number of chinese people down that area - it seems the Chinese are finally discovering the place. It's located in a primarily Indian district, so you generally would see little or no Chinese present. However, few realise that the prices at Mustafa in general are actually significantly less than from any other retail store outside, to the point that assuming mass purchases are going to be made, it's actually worth the trip down (bought stuff like shaving blades, multivitamins). So yeah, they really do sell pretty much everything. Cheaper. Just a note to self and any prospective customers though: Do try your very best to avoid the entire area on the eve of Deepavali itself (the reason tomorrow is a Public Holiday). The crowds were imba, and you just get zerged like a poor marine and overwhelmed to the point where movement is impossible. Random side note: there were way too many guys holding hands with each other, fingers interlocked, all over the place. Beyond the point of freaky. Is it just me, am I missing out in understanding some facet of culture prevalent in those parts? Not too sure myself, but the lack of the presence of any females around the streets etc in general tends to suggest otherwise. Maybe it's just me being a closed minded conservative (not).

Another random note! Singaporeans need to be less bound in our human interactions with each other to political correctness. It has it's place, definitely, but once social interaction and structure adopts that framework as an ultimate too, I start to suffocate. It can just be all so false sometimes, like everyone's hiding behind some façade. How does one express oneself freely, when freedom of expression seems non-existent? Would it still be taken as such, or ultimately be seen as perhaps a form of rebellion, of insanity, of exclusion? Worry less about saying the wrong thing, and more about actually having said it! I'm sure any reasoning person would agree that the change would be for the better, at least for smaller scale pursuits in cultural change.

I'm eating way too much into the holiday tomorrow. We were meant to watch High School Musical 3, but there were too few responses. Sigh, I would have liked to watch it though, regardless of how many others came along (0 would be questionable though). Oh well, there's always another time.

Ciao.

Milk is 92% sucrose!?

Late night, late week posts, got to love them. I would have posted earlier, but there always seemed to be something better to do. And they were. Just that Sunday night seems to have this place set aside in my mind just for me to make the post. Comes from doing this too many times on Sunday nights.

Well this week wasn't very eventful, started on lower limbs, and back from bones... As you would assume, much less content than the coming weeks. However, the fact that the exams are actually coming up pretty soon sort of just struck me. The Formative Assessment (like a trial assessment to prepare us for the style of the upcoming Continuous Assessment) sort of woke me up to that fact (quite unpleasantly, actually),and although I have a tendency not to study for most things up until the last minute, I decided to Open the Sacred Textbook. Upon which I got quite a nasty shock. I learned one thing from the ordeal though... I think I'll open the book a bit earlier next time. Or, there's always the alternative... Simply abstain from opening.

I'm still struggling through what seems like a heap of information in the book that they don't come close to imparting (despite the fantastic lectures and insightful tutorials by Prof. Voon >.>). The worst thing is that, that's the stuff that comes out in the assessments. It's almost unfair in that sense... Maybe I'm still clinging to the spoon-fed goodness from my classroom.

I've got some sort of ear infection I think. Nothing major, but bad enough to piss me off. Feels like my hearing is partially impaired, and I think my ear canal is swollen, and it hurts. I guess I'll get it checked tomorrow if it doesn't improve. The clinic in NUS doesn't open on weekends anyway (what sort of clinic...), and can't be bothered going out searching for one, paying the doctor to diagnose it as otitis externa, and then paying for some ear drops to relieve the pain (no, I don't want antibiotics). But sigh, if it stays any longer I'll probably need them, so I've resolved that I'll go tomorrow (if it's still bad).

Ok, just felt like saying this. No offence to anyone, but seriously, what is with the whole "appear offline" thing on MSN? I mean, yeah I know, wow look I can be on MSN, but not get disturbed? Nifty! It's certainly handy, being able to stealth mode messenger. But I disagree with people who constantly make use of the feature. I mean, what are the motives behind appearing offline? I would say being able to choose who you talk to (eg. According to your own need), and not be socially obligated or disturbed by other people talking to you, would be a big one. Now just think about this: what would happen if everyone did that? You're going to sign into MSN messenger, and get hit by a wall of offline contacts. Everyone's just waiting for someone else to go online so they can say/ask/do whatever, but only to that specific person(s). What I'm trying to say is, I think appearing offline, while having it's uses, when used overmuch, is ultimately not a very generous gesture. It really boils down to taking without giving back (or only selectively doing so). Once again, there are reasons/times/places where this doesn't/cannot apply, but in general, I find this the case. Nothing against anyone though, just my thoughts on the concept =)

Oh yes, I met up with my grandparents on Thursday, they were in the country so I just went to meet them in the city at Peninsula Hotel, and we had dinner there. They certainly aren't dull or unrefined or unread (I almost typed undead here, too much games), and I must say they have a lot of dignity, especially for people of their age, really respect that. I find it sweet that my grandfather still treats my grandmother like a lady ^^. Anyway, there wasn't much to talk about really, double generational gap does a lot to conversation. Still, went through a fair bit... They flew off today, but I'll be seeing them on December when I fly over to Sri Lanka with the rest of the family for the birthday/anniversary celebrations.

Also just speaking a bit about politics and stuff made me realise something. Controversial as it sounds, I think that religion plays some part in inhibiting third world country advancement and development. Corruption actually has a foothold to take root from when a country is largely populated by majority of people with strong religious beliefs. I suppose education is sort of related to this, but then again the two are interconnected. Honestly, I think it's hard to find a first world country with a largely dominant religious belief held strongly by the majority of the population. It allows for seriously desperate and foolish measures by opposing parties (such as declaring extra weekly holidays on religiously significant days (which actually happened btw >.>)). They won the election (by a long shot, so sad), but killed the economy. So yeah. Just a noob's take.

Also, a friend of mine commented on a very valid point the other day: What's with everyone studying so hard?? I mean, you study hard in final year to get into the course you want. And then you get into the course you wanted, and you study even harder? What's the point? Why not kick back, relax, and ease up a little? I mean, sure, you study because you have to... But I think it's excessive in many cases (especially in Singapore). Unless you're gunning for the Dean's list, I can't really see any justification for it (unless you enjoy mugging). Maybe I'm just being shallow and not seeing the big picture.

First Aid course next week, should be an interesting change to the repetitive nature of daily lectures. The WoW arena season (4) is ending with this Tuesday's prepatch to the expansion (releasing on the 13th of November!). Some big changes incoming, but also means I can ease up on WoW a bit until then. My fingers hurt from playing my guitar (probably still sounds like sounds you'd get from hitting it). Oh well.

Bye.

Yep. Sunday night this time. Didn't get it wrong again. Well it's mainly because of the whole Public Health Screening today, quite a significant landmark in this short span of time. But more on that later.

But first! I went for the VCF meeting on Tuesday again, after missing the last one over the holidays (OG sleepover lol). I've got to say, the bible study/sharing within our connect group was just superb. Like, really. I've been to quite a few bible study sessions/meetings in my time, and honestly, they don't even compare to the level of depth and... Freshness of the word? Best word I can come up with at the moment. And that was just an introduction to the session we'll be covering over quite a long period of time, on the book of Hebrews. Never have I heard the Word discussed in such critical and deep context, which was pretty much lent the whole study such a powerful edge. Upon reflection, I don't think settings any larger than the CG would have allowed such discussion, due to too large a spread of audience for the level of discussion, which probably approaches or contests bible school level teaching. But honestly, that's the core of what keeps bringing me back to this extra activity taking up an extra night in my week. Looking forward to next week's already, I think it's been too long since I've been exposed to the next level in my understanding of my faith, and now the opportunity is here, I can't afford to let it up.

Since the meeting on Tuesday was late, and school ended pretty early, I ended up accompanying Michelle at the library (who also came for VCF), and also got some studying done. Yeah, you read that right. I spent an afternoon in the library studying. GG. Sounds unlike me? Well, you would be right. It IS unlike me. Normally, the only time you'd even see me studying in a library is 2-3 weeks before the end of year, final, omg-this-actually-counts exams. But yeah. I did manage to sort of get all the stuff from anatomy so far sorted out and put into place, which sort of felt good when I had finished with it. I hope to start integrating bits of studying into my routine, especially as the first continual assessments approach at the end of the month. Oh, i'm coping, just not very well (or as well as everyone else is). I have confidence I'll still pass if I leave my studying to the end, but it's just... I don't know. Perhaps the Singaporean mindset is getting to me.

Oh, went out for dinner with Nick on Thursday... His Project Based Learning tutorial thing ended late and he had to go somewhere for dinner. Hmm, was pretty good I guess. We went down to the row of hawkers next to Kent Ridge Terminal, apparently a must-try for all NUS students. Food wasn't too bad, but it wasn't much better than average though. We could have ordered the wrong things, but then again I've heard some pretty high praise for them. Was interesting talking to Nick I guess, just about stuff in general. It's not often I can actually talk to guys about "stuff in general", but Nick is one who does perhaps share the sentiment. Pretty interesting just hearing someone else's thoughts about this whole current situation of ours, 2 months into med school. Strangely, there's no one else I've actually had the chance to speak with about it, so it was a pretty enlightening chat; someone else's take on anything always is.

Anyway, today was the Public Health Screening which our whole OG volunteered for, together with most of the M1 cohort, as well as some M2s, M3s etc, with pyramid style involvement levels as is the case with most faculty involvement activities. M1's representation being the greatest, and following suit through the year levels. Our shift was the Sunday afternoon one, and definitely the longest, clocking upwards of 5 hours from 2pm all the way to 7pm closing time (on paper). In reality, being the last shift and all... But then they were kind, and our seniors let us M1s go off pretty punctually. While us M1s could have been justified in saying we were pretty shafted on roles in terms of the entire PHS generally, a fair few at least managed to try their hand at the Capillary Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure stations, the most practical of the bunch afforded to us. Myself? Stuck at the Health Slips station, ticking recommendations for patients based on their answers to the questionnaire. Much like a nurse's job in a clinic setting, in fact. "Eat more fruits/vegetables", "Exercise more"... Sort of made me think about my own health a bit... After ticking hundreds of "Exercise more" on patient's cards, among other things, I started wondering just how much of a hypocrite that makes me, and perhaps doctors overall. We tell people to eat properly, but we don't. Tell them to exercise more, but we don't. Tell them to sleep properly, but we don't. Sigh, the irony.

Well our station worked this way: there were pretty long periods of pretty much activity, but when the questionnaires came in, they came in waves. And that caused some level of crisis for the earlier group, in that when I first walked into my station, I walked into a bottleneck. Of course, to work right away... An hour later, we finally managed to shift the bottleneck down the line, to the poor consultants (M4s, M5s, and a handful of doctors) who had to see patients after us. While many other people from other stations got to move around with a degree of freedom, to try out/swap positions with various stations, we were pretty much stuck. The load just got too much sometimes for movements to be possible, and swapping someone in would be a significant impairment to the efficiency of the station. The health slip is actually a simple (or maybe not so) algorithm based on the patient's numerical/boolean responses to a series of questions. Based on the interpretation of that data, you then filled up the form. The most complex was a nested if-else condition (which really isn't as difficult as it sounds... I'll explain it sometime through a more viable medium if you like though =)). Still, it takes some time for one to be able to get through each patient with decent speed by wiring the algorithm through your head. There were initially three of us at the station, which eventually evolved into 5-6 due to the heavy but occasional traffic. Still, I managed to get away for an hour or so when two extras swapped in (Wei Ting was one of them! Finally, contact with an OG mate! (No OG mates at my station ><) He eventually stayed stuck at the station for the rest of the time too, guess why.). Did some ushering, handing out flyers and promoting the Health Screening. I found a good place to camp, knocked out my stack of flyers in about 40 minutes (thank you Flag Day skills! Getting people to pay money was so much harder than giving out flyers inviting people to FREE stuff), and took my time getting back to my station. Where I walked into another information traffic crisis, bordering on another bottleneck on our hands. Right back into it.

At the end of the day, I think the two of us initially at the station were the only ones who didn't manage to get our hands dirty (figuratively) at the CBG (bloooood!) and BP stations. Oh well, there's always next year. At least I know I did what had to be done, and was where I was needed most. We went for dinner to Mac's after (which made me realise how long it's been since I've been to MacDonald's...), and you could sort of feel the weariness dripping off everyone. Still, our OG's company is always enjoyable =P. It's pretty late, and the fatigue's getting to me. Sigh, my book is overdue, I'm starting to forget the songs I'm learning on guitar, the chess opening i'm building on is incomplete, my anatomy is everywhere, my biochemistry is nowhere, and my Priest is only level 46. Critical point: October's end. I think I'm in for a crash course in juggling.

Good night.

Study first, think later.