DAY 781-788

Oct 23-29

1) So this Sunday I took part in the 2018 SSE Dublin Marathon. It was meant to be my final swan song before returning to Malaysia, but it didn't go according to plan. If there's one thing I've made clear that I wasn't a big fan of here in Dublin, it's the weather. Particularly the perishingly cold weather that we were subjected to today.

2) Anyway, things kicked off relatively well - we took a nice group photo in front of the college, and then got ready to run in our own waves. I thought that I had accounted for the weather by suiting up with thermal wear underneath the singlet and shorts, but evidently I was wrong. I started off happy, running on the spirit and atmosphere of a fantastic crowd.

3) We had a couple of tough slopes to overcome, but in the end - that wasn't the deciding factor in my unimpressive DNF today. Yes, I did not finish the marathon today. Everything was going fine for the first 10km. I met a couple of doctors and we had a lovely chat. The Sun was out for some time, and my prospects were looking quite good at the moment.

4) Then, after the halfway mark (which is 21km by the way), my calves started cramping. Common sense dictates that you stop and rest, but at the same time, I'm well aware that stopping completely only makes things worse. So onwards till mile 16 it was, when the temptation to have a little rest by the pavement got the better of me. Depending on how you look at it, it was either the best or worse decision I made.

5) For the next fifteen minutes my calves and ankles spasmed uncontrollably, and any sort of movement (flexing, extending, adducting or abducting) would trigger a spasm of some sort. I was literally hunched over, a mixture of disappointment and anger as I knew a) the race was practically over for me, b) I might have averted this if I had layered up more and rehydrated a lot more. Ankle spasms are completely new to me, and they felt a lot worse than the usual ones I get in my calves.

6) An EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) came to assist me, and when I first tried, I couldn't stand up. After some time, I could stand up and hobbled my way to the medical tent - which was thankfully only 20 paces away. The sight of rain and a gloomy sky seemed to be giving me all the signs to stop and call it a day. So they called a van to pick me (and some other runners) up and bring us back to Merrion Square - the starting point.

7) Along the way, I had plenty of time to reminisce about the situation. On one hand, bitterly disappointed that it had to end this way, considering I wouldn't be returning for the next iteration of the marathon. But on the other - perhaps it had all been for the better that I did listen to my body. If I had successfully finished the marathon but at the expense of my health, would it have been worth it? But it's easy to think clearly when it's all over, not so when you see waves of runners finishing up and start thinking "why did I stop?"

8) Finally, some of you (or let's be honest, maybe none of you XD) may have been wondering why on earth I would take part in this gruelling event in the first place? With little training, a lesion in my lung, absolutely nothing to gain as I've done the marathon before and finished in time, why would I even bother? To be honest, the main reason is much more personal than all that. I'll leave it at that. But after more than a half marathon, what gave way was my legs, not my lungs.

Thus, the moral victory is mine...

That's basically it from my blog, thanks very much for visiting. Have a nice week ahead, cheers! :)

The RCSI Running Team for the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2018

The night before the run :))

From l-r: Shwe, Areen, Myself, Jane

(just before the starting gun went off)

DAY 774-780

Oct 16-22

1) And another week has passed. As I count down the days till our exams finish, I'm increasingly aware that I will soon be leaving Ireland. It is indeed a shame that as much as I would love to maximise my remaining time here doing fun exciting activities, I still have to keep my studies a priority - or I wouldn't be going back XD.

2) As it is, my friends have been very supportive, and I find myself hanging out with everyone a little more. Knowing that everyone is going through the same phase certainly helps, as we can relate to each others' problems. My routine has not changed one bit - I still arrive early at the library everyday, and I leave when it closes - 10pm on weekdays, and 8pm on weekends.

3) One thing I've discovered is that breaks are really important. Everyone deserves a break, regardless of how close exams are or how much left they need to cover. I've always felt a lot more energised and in the mood to study after a well-earned lunch break with friends in the canteen. And I realise that when I do return to Malaysia, it is these memories that I will take home with me - not the ones spent cramming information in a secluded spot in the library.

4) In less than a month, it will be time for our annual Farewell Dinner - for the Malaysian (and international) students returning to Malaysia for their clinical stage of the course. It was only yesterday when I attended my first Farewell Dinner, for the seniors two years above. I still remember thinking what a long way we have to go, and yet here I am. Frankly, time has wheezed by (mostly due to the studying XD) and soon it will be time to bid each other farewell. But it's never goodbye, only until we meet again.

That's it for today's blog update, and thanks for tuning in as always. Have a nice week ahead, cheers! :D

With Andy, Barry, and Hazel at the (staff) canteen, Beaumont :))

- ft. a rare 1920 note called "Reichsbanknote" in front of my plate -

With Amirah and Ice at "1784" Cafe in the main campus, St. Stephen's Green :))

Munch ado about nothing ^^

Ein Hundert Mark (One Hundred Marks)

- 1920 note from Hazel's inventory -

Roast chicken with roast potatoes and carrots

(I've discovered stuffing is free XD)

Jacket potato with a side of chips - dinner on a lazy Sunday...

Spice burgers with mash potatoes and kale - courtesy of my awesome host mom Emma! :D

Beaumont Hospital is getting into the Halloween theme now!

Ghastly...

Baked salmon and vegetable mash, drowned in gravy

(believe me the gravy is very much necessary XD)

A rare look into the staff cafeteria :)

Finally received my certificate for being a Peer Led Tutor at RCSI

- I covered Fundamentals in Biomedicine 1 (FUN1) with Joshua last semester :)

A huge burrito bowl at Burritos and Blues - a long-term craving satisfied! ^^

(the red dots are form the hot sauce you can see on the left)

Microbiology Tutorials at the ERC Integrated Lab of the RCSI Smurfit Building

6 hot wings with fries and salad - at "1784" in the main campus :)

DAY 768-773

Oct 10-15

1) Utter disbelief. From the moment I saw the advertisement on FaceBook calling for debaters to represent RCSI, to finally getting selected, the hours spent researching and simultaneously preparing for my exams, speaking my heart and soul out during the debate itself, and finally bringing the victory back to RCSI - the 2018 Irish Medical Organisation Debate was as memorable as it was nerve-wracking.

2) Shortly after spotting the ad for debaters to represent RCSI, I was at a crossroads. On one hand, my studies were my absolute priority, but on the other - could I really relinquish the chance to pursue my passion for debating? It was a difficult decision to make, and I wasn't even sure if I would get selected. The rules were as follows - each institution selects one representative; there will be a total of six representatives from RCSI, UCC, UCD, Trinity, NUI Galway, and Limerick respectively. Then we would be randomly assigned to two groups of three, and our positions decided for us. Although there were two teams against each other, at the end of the day, there was only one medal up for grabs - the IMO Debate Medal 2018.

3) The topic was "THW Enact A Presumed Consent, Or "Opt-Out" System of Organ Donation". So I made a promise to myself - I wouldn't think about the debate preparations while studying in the daytime. Only when I came back at night would I modify and refine my script. The day after my exam, I started to focus more on the script. A few days later and it was time.

4) The competition started sharp 6pm, with the welcoming speech by Dr. Peadar Gilligan - the President of the Irish Medical Organisation. With little fanfare, he introduced the panel of adjudicators as well as the debaters. Side government consisted of representatives from Trinity and UCD, while side opposition had RCSI, UCC, and NUI Galway. And so it began. Rules were Parliamentary Style - 8 minute speech, with POIs (points of information) permitted between the 1st and 7th minute. No reply speech followed afterward.

5) Suffice to say, I gave it my best shot. Then I had the opportunity to listen to the others' speeches and they were incredible. When everyone had finished, the judges were ushered elsewhere to discuss the results, and we were invited to the atrium for a well deserved round of wine and cheese. It was fun getting to know everyone whom I had just debated with (and against haha), and to get their opinions on how they really felt about the issue.

6) And then came the moment of truth. If I'm being honest, I just wanted the whole event to be over so I could go home quickly. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they would call out my name as the winner! Utter disbelief - that I managed to repay the trust that the Debating Committee had placed in me (by choosing me to represent RCSI), as well as clinch the victory for the host institution. We took loads of pictures with everyone, and then it was time to go back home.

7) I still had to return to Beaumont, so I walked all the way back to Eden Quay, and took the 27B bus back - all the while in shock! All my hard work had finally paid off. And now, back to study. It never ends for the third year medical student XD. At least I'll be doing that with a big smile.

That's a wrap - thanks very much for tuning in, and have a lovely week ahead. Cheers! :)

Trying desperately to remain calm, despite progressive tachycardia XD

From l-r: Lorcán (UCC), Finbarr (NUI Galway), Dr. Paedar Gilligan (IMO President), 

Me (RCSI), Melissa (Trinity College Dublin), Talia (UCD)

Receiving the Irish Medical Organisation Debate Medal from none other than the IMO President himself - Dr. Peader Gilligan

Taken just before the event began - butterflies doing dive-bombs in my stomach right now XD

My turn to speak - time seems to stand still as I rant about my four main points - the lack of evidence, presumed consent is not explicit genuine consent, the potential for abuse, and donation as a gift.

Post event celebration with Melissa and Finbarr!

(Thanks so much Melissa for coming to support, and for the pics! :)

Thank you very much for the advice and critique, Mr. Adjudicator 

(I'm terribly sorry I honestly cannot remember his name - it must be the adrenaline-induced amnesia...)

It's a beauty alright :')

Just look at this very classy pewter bell!

An eventful night to say the least ^^

Staying hydrated to prevent hyponatraemia!

DAY 758-767

Sept 30 - Oct 9

1) And just like that, another week has passed. A week which has seen me try my best to prepare for our "quiz" - worth only 20% for each module, but at this stage in our course, every single percentage counts. Tropical Medicine and GIHEP (Gastrointestinal Hepatology) were the two modules we were tested on, one after the other with no break in between.

2) Although it was only MCQs in this particular quiz, that didn't make it any easier, at least not for me. Sometimes it feels like no amount of studying would have prepared me for the type of questions asked. Anyway, as they say, that's a thing of the past. Now it's onwards to the next couple of tests in the coming month - REGUB (Renal, Endocrine, Genito-Urinary and Breast), and CNSLF (Central Nervous System, Locomotor, Forensics) - not to mention a pass/fail OSCE in between.

3) You'd expect a brief respite after racking our brains over those two exams in the morning - but as this is RCSI, nothing can be further from the truth. We had four hours worth of study after our exams, compounding to my misery of not having slept enough these couple of days. Plus as they've long started the other modules and I haven't really looked through any of them since I was too busy revising for this exam, I now have to play catch up for the rest of the week. As if I didn't have enough already haha.

4) Anyway, in a sort of ironic way, this is preparing us for reality. When it comes to patient wellbeing (and indeed, their lives), there is simply no excuse. The plus side is the semester seems to be flying by. It's hard to believe that we're deep into our second month, and about a third of the semester gone. Here's to more knowledge acquisition in the coming weeks/months, and to achieving our desired grades in our exams. That's it for this edition of my blog, and thanks as usual for checking in. Have a lovely week ahead, cheers! :D

Post exam "celebration" - lovely Beaumont staff cafeteria food :')

(l-r: Sarita, Joshua, Aliyah, Yours truly, Zi Yan)

Curry lamb with rice and carrots :)

Chicken and mushroom pie - this tasted really awesome :)

Vegetarian something with stuffing and carrots XD

My host mom Emma bought me this really fancy luxury chocolates after coming back from holiday!!<3<3<3

Fish and chips - a staple here in Ireland. Really fresh fish too ^^

And one more for the record :)