My views on Problems.

for me, there are 3 types of problems - your own problem, someone else's problem, the society/community's problem.

the First kind is... needless to mention, just problems that I perceive I have.
It can be overcome by "re-sizing" the problem. - when you look at myself in a third person view, and zoom out - basically I view myself as a part of a gazillion life on earth, and furthermore zoom out to the universe, what does a problem in me look now? Nothing. mere dust. - does it matter so much? Not really. I start to thank the fact that I am alive in the mercy of everything that is around me - the universe, basically. (sounds kind of far-fetched? Precisely my point!)

the Second kind is the problems the people I see, have. it is important to me - because my career depends on how I address other people's problems.
A method I use is to zoom into the problem - think of every repercussion that problem may produce, and think of everything the problem might have stemmed from, and how it might be affecting the person emotionally. it takes a lot of imagination to do this - and it shouldn't be from my own perspective, too - it should ideally be from their perspective. Its like looking at things from their eyes, feeling the pain they feel, BUT thinking with a different mind.

the Third kind is what everyone should strive to look at, to make the world a better place. I haven't got a clue how to make things right, but I think it all starts with observation. there are always problems with the system - we always need to keep them in mind, so someday, we may be able to improve just a little of it, bit by bit.

the teachers in my life

I have gained some kind of momentum by the latest 2 posts.... and It has always been in me to type-down my thoughts.


I have recently posted in Facebook that I have been blessed with all my teachers, lecturers and mentors  in life. - It is quite true from my heart. Although I try to learn from everyone I see and meet, my "official" teachers are nothing less but an amazing teachers.

One latest one would be a Malay Consultant Cardiologist who shared with me how he sees patients.

Imagine, this patient is not the only soul in the consultation room, He or She may be married, may have children, may have parents, may have very close friends... all of which would care for him/her. We must feel responsible for the consequences of our actions, and every procedure we do or every medicine we prescribe, We should be aware, and They should be aware... imagine, if you have undertaken a procedure that have unfortunately taken the life of a patient (of course, all things considered, lets say it was something unforeseen and could not have been prevented). the patient may have a daughter who says "what happened to papa?" - always give a complete explanations of the possible risks involved to the patient and also give them time to explain to their families... it is our responsibility.

This concept of person as a whole community kind of perception - it really resonates with me, and once we hold responsible of our actions and thoughts like this, I think we'll have no choice but to do the best job we possibly can.

My current mentor in my university - he is an Indian O&G consultant, - I cannot even begin what important things he said to me... I write him a report weekly of what I have learnt and thought during the week, and he never fails to give me a feedback - after reading my report, which is a substantial amount!
He is continuously guiding me through the process of learning, and gives me a reassurance that I am not so off my tracks in my stages of learning. this almost religious reassurance has been probably something that have helped me breath through medical school.

My previous Mentor in pre-clinicals has also been a great teacher - He was an excellent lecturer, would always make sure student understood. there was always a personal touch to his speech. He would find me in the crowd of students, and ask me questions. It kept me on my edge, but I guess that was very good for me.

I also learn from every conversation between my friends, and even patients whom I have the opportunity to speak to... I consider them as my teachers too.
From the extent and amount of blessings I get from those teachers, It really inspires me to share what I have learnt, to other people. It would be my pleasure to be able to share what people have shared me, and that would be why I would be interested in writing books, or teaching in the future (of course, when I have a more complete knowledge!)

I don't really know how to thank all those teachers - but I think keeping the things they said in my mind, and passing it on to the next generation isn't so far off from what they'd be comfortable with.

Submission to the Smart-wave

Recently, I gave in to the flow of the age-

I bought a tablet PC... because my mother wanted a GPS, and she was like, "Might as well get those tablet PCs that can do everything" so I was like okay if you say so lets do it.

Its pretty cool - although its nothing fantastic - its a taiwanese pseudosmart phone-tablet-PC. only costed RM600 something.

I installed Medscape (which is like a medical dictionary) which is fantastic. I got whatsapp but haven't done anything with it yet. lets see if I can make use of this thing.

rekindling...

It has been a long time since my post.

Nowadays, it seems as though people have grown out of blogging (although I have posted something up in my study blog), and people seem to have very little time to actually write something down.

I still do write down some things I feel or think about though - only through e-mails, to my mentor in my university, who is truly a great man, devoted to education. He reads through every single mails I have sent to him, and gives relevant feedbacks... which is always welcome.

 My life is Still great, and becoming even better every day, it seems.

Now, I have been reading some stuff lately, and also noticing nobody blogs nowadays, it has inspired to write a post here.

I have made a post on Facebook - "what is your impression of the world around you?" which was a small social experiment - but I didn't say that in my post, because its rather nasty - making people my test-subjects aren't really the nicest thing I can do.

To my great surprise, most people responded negatively - it was surprising because my impression of the world was on the good side - although the news of people killing people, down-trend of financial situation, and people getting stressed out about their workload, commitments and everything else.

okay, maybe my tone wasn't right. to me, the world is still a bright place, because I can still see compassion and people caring for each other in the world around me. and I hope I do contribute to that circle of compassion of empathy - although I am not inherently good at those things, I can always make an effort.

I have once read that the world you see is a reflection of yourself - so I guess when people are negative about the world, they are negative towards themselves. when people say the world is a cold dry place, they may be secretly guilty of being cold and dry themselves.

I guess when you try your best to treat people as you would like to be treated, you have nothing bad to expect from others - and surprisingly, (speaking from experience), people will sometimes surprise you in a nice way. not every old man or lady will thank you for offering your seat - say, but some do, and people will think "I can do that too", and the world might be a slightly better place. (I sure do think "I think I can do that too" when I see the niceties of others.)

I'm getting rather disappointed at myself now because its getting all preachy and stuff. might as well stop haha. the last thing people need, is people giving life advice. I don't believe in that kind of paternalism.

hello 2012!

a little overdue, but a new-year's post.

what happened in 2011?

• i kept fit - which is good. recently, i've been more active - monday is badminton day, tuesday is gym day, wednesday jogging and thursday futsal. friday is going-home and saturday kendo.
• i think i have to try a little harder, in fact much harder to please my mother. I've become a little better than last year, but I shall try harder.
• i found 6 best friends. they are truly awesome people.
• i think i've been doing a crappy job keeping in touch. but i think they'll forgive me for it... hey, its just me! (but I shall try harder, promise!)
• i have no less problems, but i think i've become a little more able to manage multiple problems.
• i lost a friend - maybe things might have been better, but it should be a lesson for me. although... i doubt i can do any better next time. i am still convinced i've done things best i have ever could, though.
• it seems i have lost inspiration to write as i am being chased with reports, on-calls and such. my sense of humour is deteriorating, and so is my language capability. i should read books or something - something unrelated to medicine.
• as you can see, i have become more direct in writing. 
• i think i am becoming more tolerating - i'm not sure if i am more tolerable. i'm still an ass sometimes, but i like being that way. deal with it.

what should I do in 2012?

• hmmm.... what do you think i should do? - study more? be more fit?
• whatever - i'll do whatever i do with more intensity. doing what others cannot do and being more SEMANGAT.
• maybe i can become a bit more interesting? read books and do more stuff. move away from boring.
•