DAY 630-642

May 24 - Jun 5

1) For the past couple of weeks, I've been quite free - not burdened by exams or studying. But other things have taken up my time. For example, I've had to travel to Ballsbridge (Dublin 4) multiple times in order to make a visa application to China. It has not been an easy process, but in the end we managed to obtain our visas.

2) Also, it appears that since coming back from my Europe trip with my parents, I've come down with a rather nasty cough. As I have had a chest infection a year ago, I wasn't taking any chances and went to see a doctor quite promptly. Luckily, it was not an infection and I was given some cough syrup (Exputex). It's still lingering a bit though; hopefully it'll clear off soon enough...

3) On June 5, the official opening of the No. 26 Building, York Street (the new academic building) took place. RCSI warmly welcomed Michael R. Bloomberg (WHO Ambassador of Noncommunicable Diseases as well as ex-Mayor of New York), The Lord Darzi of Denham (one of the world's leading surgeons and Labour politician), Pat Kenny (veteran Irish broadcaster), and an ensemble of over 500 distinguished guests.

4) Some of us had volunteered to be a part of this momentous occasion, as Student Ambassadors of the college. Our role was to assist the guests in whatever possible, and to to show them around the college. On that day, all floors were open for our guests, and I was assigned to the fifth floor. So me and some friends showed the guests around this floor, into the wet lab (for surgical procedures). A technician was on hand that day to explain the different equipment and apparatus in further detail than we could. All in all, it was a very successful event, not to mention a hugely memorable one too!

5) I'm off to Suzhou, China in literally an hour after this is published. As I understand, there is something called "The Great Firewall (of China)" which is enforced within China to regulate the internet domestically. This means no YouTube, Google, Facebook, Whatsapp etc. I've bought a VPN as a sort of roundabout way to counter this, but if for whatever reason no more blog posts for the next two months (that's how long I'll be in China - I'm coming back Aug 3) then at least you know why.

That's basically it for today's update. Thanks very much for tuning in, and happy summer break. Cheers!

 The Embassy of China in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Letter of Admission ^^

 On the Dart to Sandymount, where it's an 8-minute walk to the Embassy

the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI)

Preparations ahead of the big day :)

 This really cool box is actually a set of VR glasses, that when connected to your smartphone gives a guided walking tour of the new building ^^

The turnout was so great that some guests were left standing!

(and Desmond Auditorium seats at least 540)

 Professor John Hyland, President of RCSI - gives his opening speech

 Mr. Bloomberg was interviewed by Pat Kenny

 The Lord Darzi with his closing remarks

The official unveiling of the building by Mr. Bloomberg

DAY 599-616

Apr 23 - May 10

1) After what I can only describe as an eternity, exam season has finally drawn to a close. Our three end-of-semester exams were on the 30th (Cardio-Respiratory), 3rd (Foundations in Pathology), and 9th (Foundations in Microbiology). This semester has not been an easy task, but I'm glad that it happened. It has made me realise that the pathway to any goal in life is never going to be easy, and that is exactly what makes it all worthwhile.

2) Finishing our exams, to me, is akin to moving from Jupiter to the Moon. Jupiter, with its strong gravitational pull - resembles my studies, and the constant nagging thought at the back of my head to stop whatever I am doing and resume studying. Au contraire, the Moon, with its relatively meagre gravitational force - represents the aftermath of my exam. There isn't any more central force keeping me in check, and I am free to explore and discover at my leisure.

3) There has been a drastic change in weather these past three weeks, with Dublin (and I'm sure, most of Ireland as well) experiencing a lovely burst of warm weather. In fact, the past few days have come very close to matching the weather back home... Speaking of home, the end of my exams also means that my parents will be coming to visit! In just three short days, I will be greeting them at Terminal 2, the same place we touched down on our first arrival to Dublin two years ago.

4) My dad informed me that he had a trip around Europe planned, but stopped shy of the details. "It'll be a surprise," he says. Indeed, the thought of reuniting with my parents after two long years brings more than enough joy to me - so everything else is just icing on the cake. I simply cannot wait :)

5) As for my plans for the summer, I applied - and was successful - in being selected for the International Research Summer School Programme. In the past years, there were four spots available each, for two universities (Hoshi University in Japan, and Soochow University in China). To my disappointment, funding was halted for the Japan programme, and the China programme intake was reduced to two. I can only count my lucky stars to be selected for this wonderful opportunity to do research over the summer in Soochow, China.

6) With the GE14 (Malaysia's 14th General Election) well and truly over, Malaysia has reached a decision. It is a decision that I believe many had hoped for, but not so many (myself included) believed would be possible. Vox populi vox Dei - "the voice of the people is the voice of God." The majority have spoken - let them be heard! :)

That has been roughly three weeks' worth of blog update. Thank you very much for visiting as always, and have a lovely week ahead. Cheers!

Marking my territory - in Beaumont Library

(frankly it's so empty here compared to the college library)

A vegetarian lasagna from Beaumont's Cafetaria

My host mom left this for me - I'm so touched <3<3

As you can see, there's really no one here :)

1784 is the name of the new cafe in the main campus

(they have a wide variety of food items which rotate every single day)

Such as this phyllo-wrapped rice pastry

(it kinda resembles ouzi)

Two falafel cakes served with pita, rice, and hummus, on a bed of greens :)

Fish and chips is my favourite at 1784

(loaded with a heapful of chips and mashed peas - it's heavenly!)

My post-exam meal - mushroom risotto with garlic bread and salad

(with an extra heapful of parmesan)

DAY 506-510

Jan 19 - 23

1) Here at Beaumont there is a concept of Reading Fridays. Essentially we have no classes today (save for the odd tutorial), and can maximise this time to cover lectures, or alternatively, get some much needed rest. Unfortunately, at the rate we're going, it'll be used up in a desperate attempt to cover the immense content of the other four weekdays.

2) These past week, we've been adjusting to lessons at Beaumont, as well as getting to know our lecturers. Whereas Junior Cycle has been about learning everything in a normal individual, Intermediate Cycle focuses on everything that can go wrong (in a pathological state). It's a shift in focus, and it'll take a while to fully adapt.

3) Another difference I've noticed - having stayed in Beaumont for the past month - is the lack of extra-curricular activities here. Sure, every Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is a chance to sit in for the Grand Rounds (presentations consisting of medical problems and treatment of a particular patient to an audience consisting of doctors, residents, and medical students) if you can make it by 8.00am. But save for that, and the odd event or so, nothing much really happens here.

4) This is in stark comparison with the multitude of activities in the main campus (123 St. Stephen's Green). For instance, I still haven't tried out the new "Coffee Doc" - 1784 yet. There was a grand unveiling on the first day when school reopened, where they invited guest chefs the Flynn brothers (a.k.a. "The Happy Pear") over! Furthermore, I'll be missing out on a follow-up to the photoshoot we did recently (due to lessons), as well as an invitation for those excellent Friendship Lunches we had last semester. Oh well, I suppose you can't have them all XD. That has been my blog update, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks very much for tuning in, and have a nice day. Cheers!

Throwback to the day when it REALLY snowed in Dublin :)

A white view from outside my bedroom window

Even in the morning there was some traces of frost

Our first Microbiology Lab Group Tutorial

Microbiology stuff ^^

It's hard to see, but my buddy Zi Yan is helping to demonstrate 

the process of uncoiling of DNA by DNA helicase

Our Infection Prevention and Control Leture

The entire lecture was allocated to keeping one's hands clean, and to prevent accidental contamination of the environment/equipment 

That's lunch for today at Beaumont's (staff!) canteen, 

after I finished the last of my frozen meals XD

DAY 494-498

Jan 7 - 11

1) As the year kicks in,  I find that I am no longer able to update my blog as regularly as I have up to this point. In spite of trying my utmost best, the various responsibilities and tasks that I have on my hand even before school reopens is enough to keep me from my favourite past time. However, what I have to skimp on quantity, I will absolutely not when it comes to quality. I'll just have to learn to compile days of activities into one blog post, with plenty of pictures in between :)

2) So I celebrated my birthday on the 8th. My good friend Zi Yan met up with me at the library. I had a couple of things on my agenda on this day, a) find a study table; b) buy some slacks and sweatpants; c) film a short video for my Student Ambassador vlog; d) get a haircut XD; e) celebrate my birthday! So we tackled the most pressing issue first - filming a video of my college, to promote RCSI in my blog for Education in Ireland. Alas, it was not meant to be. The staff on duty mentioned that we needed a "work permit" in order to film at the college. So I would have to email someone at Student Services to obtain permission first. 

3) On to the next bit - celebrating my birthday the only way we knew how - buffet lunch! I thought it'd be fun to have buffet at Jimmy Chung's, which coincidentally was the first meal we had when we were dropped off in Dublin all those years ago ^^. The food was really good, not to mention the myriad of cakes and desserts. After stuffing ourselves silly, it was time to search for a study table. I'm not kidding when I say we literally searched the whole of Dublin 1 (at all the accessory shops and hardware shops) before FINALLY finding a suitable table at Argos. It was two small tables for €22.50 - and at this point, that sounded very reasonable to me. Bought it $$

4) By this time, it was getting dark, so I decided against the pants and haircut, leaving it for another day. I took the bus 27b back to Beaumont - right in front of my new accommodation. Speaking of my new home, it has been lovely so far. Prior to coming here, quite a number of seniors advised me against putting up at Beaumont, as it had absolutely no 'city life' to it. While that may be true, I am perfectly comfortable with living here so far, as everything that I could want is within walking distance. In particular, I am thoroughly impressed with the variety of meal options i.e. frozen meals here. There's a supermarket chain called Iceland here, and they have some top-notch meals at really cheap prices. That's my go to place from now on.

5) Classes begin again on the 15th, this time in Beaumont. While I am happy to be in a new environment, part of me is dreading what might come next. Many have commented that this semester is brutally challenging, so I look forward to it with equal parts excitement and trepidation. That sums up my blog post this time, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you in the next one. Cheers!

Thanks buddy for celebrating my birthday with me!!

- at Jimmy Chung's Chinese Buffet

RCSI Library Beaumont - my soon-to-be second home :)

That is a torpedo sized bottle if I've ever seen one XD

Their desserts are par excellence <3<3

Apple crumble with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream

My two study tables :)

Beef bourguignon (a.k.a. beef burgundy) with mash potato

Iceland's very own fish pie

(with large cubes of salmon, haddock, and tiger prawns!)

Ham and leek gratin

Steak chianti ragu