And that's 1 week of Anaesthesia at AH for you..

The OTs are freezing cold! Especially when it's dark and stormy outside, causing the ambient temperature to dip below normal tropical weathers..

Busy Weekend..

Friday
Post-Pathology posting, decided to catch up with my Anat Group as we headed down to Chinatown for karaoke.. It's been quite a while since we met up, what with so many postings in between.. Hhmmm, remember the last time I went kbox was when Frank was back, which was abt 2 months ago?

Anyway, it's always been fun going out with my anat gp.. =) Had a totally relaxing time that evening, and after that going for supper at Chang Cheng with frog legs porridge.. Yum! =)

Had to literally run for the last bus home though.. =P past midnight, the NEL stops, and thankfully, the 147 bus (one of the rare buses that still run to my house after the NEL made its appearance) still ran! Managed to catch the last bus scheduled to arrive at 0023hrs. Well, the bus arrived at 0035hrs, but i'm not complaining! At least didn't need to take cab.. But realised that I actually have a night-rider to my house.. Wow.. =) NR6.. Heehee..

Sat
Running errands and visiting relatives was the order of the day, topped up with Joyce and Danson's combined birthday party in the evening at Jac's house. Kinda remembered the wrong address - and hence drove to the wrong place (and hence thinking that Jac's house was under construction -_-") - but anyway, with the right address, I didn't get lost, ok? Hah.

Great party, great company.. =) Met someone in my year Medicine whom I've never talked to before, and he's really quite nice, and had quite a good chat with him..

Sun
More errands, and catching up with friends.. Oooohh. Managed to sneak in a bit of shopping! =P Haha.. Shopping for me is like a grand event rather than a run-of-the-mill affair. After all, didn't hit the shops at all during the whole GSS.. Managed to get a pair of black pants at discount, together with a nice white shirt after trudging from PS to the other branch at Taka.. Hhmmm.. Couldn't find the size for the green shirt I was eyeing though.. -_-" Oh well. At least I got the white one. Thanks LK! =)


Oops.. It's almost Monday. Lots of work to be done! Anaesthesia is starting tomorrow, and there's still the dreaded Patho individual and group writeup.. Urgh.. How did I get stuck with such a broad umbrella topic.. Aaahhh.. Save me.. =(

Forensic Pathology

This week saw us attached to the Forensic Pathology Department in SGH.. Went in to observe a couple of autopsies..

I actually reached the venue very early on Thursday morning cos I had to send my brother off to camp in the morning. Then this nice lady started talking to me, since it was barely 7 o'clock, and there weren't many people around yet.

Apparently she's working as an undertaker, and she's been working in it for almost 5-10 years? So we started chatting about her work, and how she came into a profession that is shunned by many people due to superstition and beliefs. And it was actually rather inspiring to talk to her about her work..

As an undertaker, she actually plays a much larger role in the closing chapters of a person's life than is commonly portrayed. Other than just preparing the body and the wake, she comforts the family, and helps them with advice on the many legal and administrative formalities which many people are unaware of, or too bereaved to take too much notice of.

What's really sad, yet heartwarming at the same time though, was of the stories she shared of families which were too poor to afford a proper funeral, and her company actually offered their services for free or at a discounted rate to help the deceased's loved ones - cos as she said,

"Proper closure is very important to the family."

In Response to a Post on Another Blog..

I quote from Mohan's blog:

"Where does the braddell road tree figure in all this? Let's start by considering what would happen if a driver were to crash into the tree and sustain injuries. The driver could sue LTA, because LTA was in control of a source of danger (the tree), LTA knew it was dangerous and LTA was negligent in removing it. Thus the driver would have a right to judgment in his favour. The 'right' he fights for is his right to personal safety."

Hhmmm. I didn't know that the driver could sue the LTA in this hypothetical situation. You mean if the driver was blatantly flouting a law, i.e. the speed limit, and hence hits the tree, he could sue the LTA for damage? That's really interesting.

Ok, so what if the the driver was in the speed limit and he hit the tree? Now, then the question would be on whether the speed limit was appropriate, was it not? Driving any vehicle entails its own dangers and risks accordingly. Of course, then my whole argument for the tree hence, hinges on the idea that below the speed limit, and with proper driving, the risks for accidents along that stretch of road at Braddell Road should be equal to or less than any other risks to drivers travelling along any curved road in Singapore.

And yes, I'm not closed to reason - then it is the LTA's responsibilty to ensure that with decent driving at the ideal designated speed limit, the risks are equally low. Of course, if safety is still compromised at lower speeds unacceptable for a main arterial road such as Braddell Road, then surely the LTA would be right to remove the tree earlier - and no nature lover would complain about the issue. If not, why blame the LTA?


With regards to smoking, alcohol, motorcycles - i agree that at the end of the day, we respect the individual's right to make a choice. Isn't that why cigarettes, alcohol and motorcycles are still on the market?

You choose how you want to drive.

Previous Posts Revisited..

I am furious.

Fuming mad.

That barely touches the surface of it all. I was driving down Braddell Road towards Lornie Road this morning, and I glanced towards RJC on my right hand side - and my beloved Angsana tree was gone!!!!

Horrors.

I almost fainted in front of the wheel. -_-"

Wasn't the decision to cut down the tree like, just announced last week? And the letters were just flying in fast and furious in the Sunday Times forum. On my return trip in the afternoon, I drove down the exact road that was supposed to be dangerous to drivers - and found that absolutely NOTHING had changed, sans the tree of course. The roads were still equally windy and twisty, the cars around me were still ignoring the obvious white lane markings on the road - needless to say the transparent 40km/h speed limit at the side of the road - and the concrete barriers around the ex-tree were still there!

And studying the whole layout of the road with the under-construction-flyover on the right, the slip road entry from Thomson on the left, and RJC and Bishan Columbarium from the left, there barely seems to be any space to straighten the road at all! Don't tell me that it's gonna be like this - sans the tree - for 1 more year? Then what's the point of cutting it down?

In today's newspaper report that featured the poor tree being chopped - "drivers did not follow the speed limit" - says it all. SINGAPOREAN DRIVERS are idiotic and a hazard to themselves. Ok, that's a very gross generalization, and true, not all Singapoean drivers are like that. Just a large number of them. -_-"

As a letter in yesterday's forum article rightly pointed out - the tree has been there for 2 whole years already, and the whole flyover would be done within 1 year's time, and the roads rearranged back so that the tree would no longer be an issue. If it has been like that for 2 years already, what's 1 more year? I know that's warped logic - so ok, consider this argument instead. If Singaporean drivers:

1) Adhere to the lane markings
2) Follow speed limits
3) Drive with a bit more patience

instead of driving around as if they own the whole road by cutting into other people's lanes and speeding around every corner "initial-D" style, maybe there would be less of a worry of accidents occuring since the LTA had done studies showing that if the speed limit of 40km/h was kept, the risks of accidents would be significantly lowered?

It's like "oh, the tree is hazardous. Let's cut it down." Then since smoking is hazardous and alcohol long term is potentially toxic, and motorcyclists probably have the highest accident rates on the road (today's papers: 5 m-cyclist deaths in 3 days.. sad.), do we then remove cigarettes, expel alcohol, and dismantle all the motorcycles on the road? No right? Cos we always try to educate people on safety issues, on health issues, on conservative methods first!

Hhmmm, I tink i'm starting to go a bit off tangent in my little tirade here, so i better end here on this issue. Pardon my ranting, but suffice to say, I mourn for the 80-year old Angsana tree. ARGH!!!


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Lol, after writing and re-reading both upper and lower portions of this post, I realise I sound a bit schiz writing these 2 posts within 1 post.. But hey, its real, and that's good enough for me. =)

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Revisiting the concept of "ME" time...

I remember mentioning that morning driving time was precious.. well, just to add a bit more on to that..

"Me" time, as someone once said, its time to yourself. For you to recharge your batteries. For you to be at peace with the world, and peace with yourself. It doesn't mean that sitting at home equates to "me" time - well, it can, just that my mind's usually on other stuff like what's on tv, computer games (instead of patho writeups -_-"). The mind has to be clear, and at peace with the surroundings..

So it was surprising that I actually managed to find some solace on Saturday, in - of all places - Sentosa. Was walking around waiting for Kelvin, Mohan & LK, and somehow found myself wandering down to this quiet secluded spot on Siloso beach, away from the volleyball-crazed pple and company functions.

It was just quite surreal for those 5-10 minutes. Sitting on the cool fine sand, under the shade of a leafy palm tree, looking out to the midday sun & ocean, and just... being a part of it all.

Mmmmm. A little piece of Heaven. =)

Saturday was a mighty busy day..

Novena in the morning, followed by meeting Kelvin, LK and Mohan at Sentosa afterwards, then church in the evening, followed by JC class gathering at night.

Been almost 2 years since I last went to Sentosa? o_O Even though i wasn't particularly keen at first on getting toasted under the hot sun, the weather today was perfectly cloudy and good weather for cycling & recreational canoeing. It's nice catching up with overseas pple when they're back for holidays & attachments.. =) Spent a nice afternoon wandering around the beaches, canoeing, and just talking and lazing about in the warm waters of Siloso Beach.. Even bumped into Dennis Tan and the Dentistry Fac Orientation Camp pple..

Evening's JC class gathering saw me running late from church to meeting the class at Paragon, Orchard. Wah.. the queues at the restaurants were ridiculous.. think the guys waited 1.5 hours at Akashi Restaurant to no avail.. Luckily we managed to get into Spageddies only after 5 minute wait..

I do think that people change over the years. I remember that I wasn't particularly close to my JC class in general back then, partially cos I was more silent back then.. Pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to connect and talk to everyone present tonight, and definitely was quite an enjoyable outing.. =) Dessert at NYDC Heeren was a bit of a let-down, cos my mudpie had already started to melt by the time it reached our table - and I prefer my ice cream/mudpie cold and solid.. -_-"

Anyway, I left the group at almost 11.45pm, and rushed to Somerset MRT to try to catch the connecting train to Dhoby Ghaut, and then the NEL, cos I know that the last train to Punggol departs Dhoby Ghuat at 12.03am.. Was a little appalled to realise that I was gonna miss the last train down to Marina Bay - and of course, ran for it like mad.. Nothing like the thought of a pricey midnight cab fare to spur those muscles on.. =P Wah. Really quite a miracle.

Thankfully the rest of the ride home was pretty uneventful..

Looking to a more restful Sunday ahead.. =)

Somethings just simply make your day. =)

Was on the way back from Engin Macs today with my CG, on bus A2, when I bumped into Deyan on the bus! =) Almost couldn't recognise him! it's been almost 6 years since RI? he looks so much thinner now, but otherwise, still the same.. Still remember the good times back in the RI Science labs.. I remember, of all the China scholars in our class, somehow the both of us were able to connect pretty well, with him being able to take most of my crap.. =P

Quite happy that he's doing his masters year now.. Hope he manages to find his accomodation soon.. =)

Saving Mother Nature..

OMG. Just read today's newspapers, and among the headlines:

"Braddell Road Angsana Tree to be Removed After 'Near-Accidents'"

Now, I take that road almost everyday on a return trip from NUS/NUH since i'm in NUH for the past 2 weeks, and I used to take that road previously during lectures at NUS too, and i'm pretty familiar with the road there. The 3 lane road had been split into 2 lanes which curve on the tree's left, and a 3rd which curves on the right. As the newspaper article correctly stated, the LTA had limited the speed limit to 40km/h, drawn out curved road markings, and placed lots of warning signs to warn drivers far ahead.

But no.. Singaporean drivers find it hard to read the signs. They find it hard to keep to the lane markings when going at a speed obviously above 40km/h. They find it hard to signal when changing lanes in the curvy parts of the road, which is itself dangerous already.

And now the poor 80 year old tree has to go. =( Haiz. If only the initial $200k and the costs now incurred had been invested to shift it to a better and safer location.. And Singapore loses another one of its old trees.. =(

Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix

Just came back from watching the 5th Harry Potter movie with the other medicine pple at Suntec Eng Wah cinema.. So many med pple turned up in support of charity! =)

Verdict on movie? Plain bad.

For a person who's followed the book and movie series, this movie (probably like all other previous ones) didn't do much justice to the book. First of all, standing at 135 minutes, the movie is a tad short and very fast paced - which probably should prepare you for what's coming up in the next 2 hours (or rather what's missing in the next 2 hours).

Sketchy plot. Lack of action. Think that about sums up the worst portions of the movie.

The storyline here is so thin, it could barely hold any of the characters up, especially if you had not read the book previously. Titled "Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix", the "Order of the Phoenix" was barely mentioned at all in the movie! Throughout the whole movie, the concept behind the Order, not to mention the cause or its members, was barely mentioned at all - the movie might as well been renamed "Harry Potter & His Prophecy". -_-"

Speaking of which, even that title doesn't do justice - for throughout almost 3/4 of the movie, the word "prophecy" didn't even make its debut. The audience (at least those not in the know), were left wondering what Lord Voldemort "wanted to lay his hands on" - probably some lousy crystal ball that Harry was hallucinating up in his dreams. -_-"

Which reminds me, my favourite character in the Order, Nymphodora Tonks, had all of 7 seconds of screen time. -_-" 5 seconds during transporting Harry from home to HQ, 1 second at a dinner table, and 1 second near the final battle when she "wisped" into the Ministry of Magic. Ditto to Lupin.

One of my favourite characters this time round must be Luna Lovegood. She makes her important screen debut pretty early on, and is quite an interesting character. Go catch her.. Hee..

And the actress playing Dolores Umbridge certainly lived up to her role - her character was looking pretty in pink, and so uber bitchy, it made you want to reach into the screen and throttle her.. =P

Oh yes, the action - or rather lack thereof.

In this aspect, I found it similar to the first book and movie - the action was predominantly in the final part where they went to find the stone, but the movie promptly sliced it into half; here, the maze of rooms in the MOM Dept of Mysteries was sliced and diced till it seemed like a stroll in a deserted Takashimaya shopping centre. Granted the animation in the battle between Dumbledore & Voldemort was one of the better scenes, it was barely enough to save this sinking movie.

Urgh. Rather disappointed with the movie.

Still, some of the scenes worth catching:

1) Watch out for Kingsley's line when Dumbledore disappears out of Hogwarts with Fawkes..

2) George & Fred's fantastic exit from Hogwarts..

3) Battle btw Dumbledore & Voldemort..

4) Luna Lovegood

5) Erm, Dolores Umbridge? =P Should catch her tassle with Minerva McGonagall on the steps of Hogwarts..


Looking forward to the final book's release on the 21st July.. =P

Was sitting in the car this evening, and waiting in the carpark for my Mom to be back from buying dinner, when I started channel surfing on the car radio..

till I came across 91.3 with Meredith Brook's song, with a certain line in the chorus most apt for certain acquaintances.. Lol.. so here's:

"Bitch" - by Meredith Brooks
I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
tried to tell you but you look at me like maybe I'm an angel underneath
innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
You must have been relieved to see the softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
all rolled into one

Chorus:
I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your health, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

So take me as I am
This may mean you'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that when I start to make you nervous
and I'm going to extremes
tomorrow I will change
and today won't mean a thing

Chorus

Just when you think you've got me figured out
the season's already changing
I think it's cool you do what you do
and don't try to save me

Chorus

I'm a bitch, I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
when you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numbed, I'm revived
can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way

The concept of "ME" time..

Now that I'm driving almost everyday to school / hospital - save when I'm at SGH and the NEL proves its use - driving has somewhat lost its initial "appeal".. Somewhat like a mode of transport? So i'm trying to taichi the driving during the weekends to my brother when we go out together.. =P Kinda nice sitting in the backseat and watching the scenery go by..

Oh, but I love driving in the mornings, cos driving in the morning is ME time! =) Driving down the early morning Singapore roads, listening to my favourite FM 93.3, and otherwise enjoying the tranquility and peace of the morning.. Everyone needs their own me time sometimes, to recharge your batteries, and to feel, well, sane..

Not that I dun like to offer rides to people in the morning.. In fact, as my mom said, its a joy and privilege to be able to offer someone else a ride! Think about it.. of course, i'm sure all drivers don't expect anything in return, just that we'll all pass the favour around to other people around us somewhere down the timeline, cos i'm sure we've all been recipients of rides sometime in our lives.. =)

Anyway yeah, i do enjoy giving people rides, cos the interaction during those rides is of a rather different dimension.. But if you're sitting in with me on my first ride of the day in the early morning, just dun feel offended if I don't talk much, as I absorb and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the morning..

1 week of ENT has just whizzed by, and NUH beckons, with the ENT test looming up on Friday..

Hhmmm. Looking forward to Saturday! =)