DAY 328/329/330

Jul 26, 27 & 28

"I promised my friends that this would be the best blog update ever, so here goes".      
    

-Kevin (28 Jul 2017)

1) And just like that, our Research Summer School experience is officially over. All the 9-5 days in the lab, setting up reactions - cleverly timing them to run while we grabbed a coffee or lunch - finished. Officially the last day was the 28th, when some of us, myself included, were chosen to present our research at the Wrap Up Symposium. It was a three minute presentation, followed by two minutes of Q and A.

2) In my opinion, everyone delivered their presentations brilliantly, a testament to their passion and commitment towards their research projects. There could only be one winner, however, and it was a joint first place for Melvin and Melissa for "Best Overall Presentation"! Orla took home the title of "Most Humorous Presentation" while Josephine had the "Most Scientific Presentation". Congratulations to all the winners!!

3) We had a lovely wine and cheese reception at the Atrium afterwards. I would have gone back to the library, had it not been for Andrew and friends inviting me over to hang out with them. Andrew and Barry are both off to Bahrain for the student exchange programme (next semester), so we'll probably not see each other until around the New Year.

4) Our first stop was Tesco Express, where we got those 4-in-a-pack Tesco Lagers - the stuff that only those in the know drink. Then Tom, Peter and Emmet cycled to Peter's house, while Andy, Barry and I walked. We soon stopped at a pub for a pint of Guinness, as my friends enlightened me on the rich Irish history and culture. It was a short stroll after that to our friend's house.

5) To keep things PG-13, certain activities have to be omitted of course XD. Suffice to say, we had a lot of fun. When it was time for dinner, my friends recommended the Spice Box at a Chinese takeaway called Chop Chop, which I had never tried before. For some reason, they found it rather spicy... I mean the "my tongue's on fire", "my lips are burning", "how do you even eat that without drinking anything, Kevin?" kind of spicy. In all fairness, the food (chunky battered chicken with fries topped with spices) tasted really good.

6) We then took turns playing GTA (Grand Theft Auto, a popular video game) on Peter's Xbox One. As the night progressed, so too did the "activities" going on around me increase in intensity. I was oblivious to all of this of course; purely immersed a video game that had kept me occupied for countless hours back home in Malaysia.

7) At quarter past ten, the rest of our group (Claire, Suzanne, Fiona, and Orla) came to visit. They were planning on going to some night clubs in the city. I decided it would be best to head home before it got really dark, and before the LUAS service stopped operating. After bidding them goodbye, I found my way to the LUAS at Harcourt, before boarding it back home. That has been my three days' worth of activities, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it as I have delighted in writing about it. Have a pleasant weekend, and happy holidays to everyone who has finished their research! Cheers! :D

Hanging out at Pete's place :)

(Me, Andrew, Fiona, Claire, Suzanne, Peter, Orla, Emmet)

27th was Berry Day at AK. Henry's!

Such irresistible treats! 

Reception at the Atrium

Those framed certificates were for the Student Innovation Challenge winners

Wrap Up Symposium 2017

Laughter ensued as the word "Tiring" got bigger and bigger...

The potato balls with cheese dip was to die for...

Some good craic at a pub en route to Peter's house

That's a Spice Box

Pete's house

Happy holidays guys! It's been a great one :)

DAY 322/323

Jul 20 & 21

1) The past two days have been very exciting for me. I spent the better part of yesterday (and admittedly, today as well) preparing for the debate on the motion, "Are We On the Brink of an Antibiotic Apocalypse?" I was debating against the motion, so the angle I chose to attack was from the definition "apocalypse". Sure no one would deny that antibiotics resistance was always going to happen, regardless if mankind had a hand it in, but does the situation we are in right now justify the title "apocalypse"? There's no clear answer to that, as evidenced by the split decision we reached in the end.

2) Ranya, a third year pharmacy student, was proposing the motion, while I was against it. Melissa was the chair for the debate. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised with the turnout for the debate. We had over 40 research students, along with Dr. Sarah O'Neill, Dr. Fidelma Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Jane Burns. Niall was the helpful attendant, who helped pass the microphone to the audience when it was Q and A session. It was a walking debate, which meant the audience would move to the side which they supported, whether it was "For", "Against", or "Don't Know". By the end of it, all but one of the audience had picked a stance to side with.

3) As for the rest of the week, I'm heading off to Co. Kerry with the RCSI Climbing and Mountaineering Club, where we'll be climbing up Mt. Brandon. Looking forward to spending a lovely weekend there, and taking loads of beautiful pics. Here's to a great weekend for everyone. Cheers!

Post debate photograph :)

"We are on the Brink of an Antibiotic Apocalypse"

Nothing like a nice cuppa after debate is over ^^

(l-r: Melvin, Melissa, Dr. Fidelma Fitzpatrick, Dr. Sarah O'Neill, Niall, Ms Jane Burns, yours truly)

Formal attire, with Dr. Fitzpatrick

DAY 311/312/313

Jul 9, 10 & 11

1) The past three days have been a constant hive of activity. So first, reports on the lab research. As of today, we've done 14 experiments and counting. On Monday, Dr. Griffith was in the Chemistry Lab with me and Judge (our Research Summer School Exchange Student from Soochow University, China). Together, we set up yet another reaction involving sodium, and this brought back memories of my Form 4 teacher demonstrating the reactivity of Group 1 metals with water (sodium is a Group 1 element).

2) Today we did a couple of analytical tests in the lab. This is the first time I've gone to the third floor of the RCSI building (which is where the MCT Labs are), in order to use the infrared spectrometer for IR spectroscopy. In addition to this, we sent some samples over to UCD for elemental analysis. We have some experiments running, so we'll see how it goes throughout the week. Another busy couple of days ahead for me...

3) Tonight Zi Yan and I attended the "TN50 Ireland Dialogue", a meeting where they get Malaysian students from all over Ireland to give their opinions (and critique) on the latest challenges that we face as we push forward to establish ourselves as a developed nation. I gave a admittedly long winded speech, where I highlighted certain points like a) the importance of English in today's society, b) the need for some sort standardisation of Pre-U programmes, c) how to present arguments in a diplomatic and tactful manner, d) instilling confidence in students to question their teachers, as well as the teachers themselves accepting critique or shortcomings if justified, among others.

4) All in all, it was a very fruitful talk, and we had the pleasure of hearing from H.E. Ambassador Siti Hajjar Adnin, Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland, as well as Dr. Zainal Abidin Sanusi, Director of Education Malaysia UK & Eire. The event was moderated by Dr. Farrah-Hani Imran, Head of Plastic Surgery, Burn Unit & Wound Care UKM, and Youth Ambassador of TN50. It is rare in my opinion to find people of such different age groups, professions, and ethnicities congregating under one roof (the Malaysian Hall Dublin) for a discussion in the manner which we did. So I'm really grateful for the invitation (thanks Su Wei!)

5) It's getting really late here, plus I have work tomorrow. So on that note, I'll end my blog update here. Thanks very much for reading till the end, and have a great day. Cheers!

Group photo with everyone at the Malaysia Hall Dublin! ^^

Walking to the Malaysia Hall

Nasi lemak evokes good memories

Having dinner with newfound friends from UCD and TCD

The programme with a welcome speech from 

H.E. Ambassador Siti Hajar Adnin, Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland

Posing with Dr Farrah-Hani Imran,

whom many may remember was a superb rhythmic gymnast back in the day,

and who is now team manager of the Malaysian Gymnastics National Team :D

DAY 307/308

Jul 5 & 6

1) So I'm slowly but surely settling in to my new environment. Not just my new home, but also the new academic building! It's so convenient to pop by the library after work, and make a cup of coffee/tea before lazing into one of those oh-so-comfortable chairs...

2) And just like that, it's been more than a month since my research started. Yesterday, we confirmed by mass spectrometry that my tenth experiment, had finally produced the ester product that we were looking for. This can then be used as the starting point for our reactions with various bismuth compounds to form novel complexes. At least that's the plan...

3) Which is exactly what we did today. Dr. Griffith came himself to carry out the reactions with me and Donal. It is the first time that I've handled liquid nitrogen with my own hands, and it was fascinating to watch all the insulating nitrogen gas envelope the reaction vessel as we poured it out. We carried out two new experiments today, before leaving it to continue stirring overnight.

4) That sums up the past two days, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Have a great day, cheers!

RCSI Academic Building at night ^^

The €52.00 for 30-day LUAS (tram) tickets are such good value!

Mixing things up a little: Full Irish breakfast at AK. Henry's

DAY 305/306

Jul 3 & 4

1) On Monday, the new academic building finally opened its doors for us! Admittedly, only two floors were officially open while the rest are to be public only once the next school term starts (in September). Of course, that didn't stop me and many of my friends from snooping around haha. We went up and down all floors, marvelling at how new and fresh everything looks. For starters, the building is massive; five floors up and another four down.

2) The top two floors are used for surgical training (RCSI houses the National Surgical Training Centre), while the next two floors contain the library and computer room. The Ground Floor contains the aptly named "Dispensary" - which provides complimentary Nescafe/tea for the next couple months or so. Also on this floor is the lounge, where visitors can gather to converse and socialise over a cuppa. A floor down and we reach the auditorium, which can house up to 540 students. I just wonder if we'll have many (if any at all) lectures here next semester.

3) The second level below Ground Floor acts as a backstage to the auditorium, for props and stagehands I presume. One level further down and it's the gym - complete with rows of weights and gym machines. There's even a separate Women's Only Gym right beside. Lastly, the fourth level underground. This contains the sports complex, the size of four badminton courts and/ or a full basketball court. After spending some time there, we were kindly ushered out by a security guard as the place was off-limits...

4) My personal opinion of the new academic building is that it's wonderful! Finally, we have something tangible (physical) to showcase to visitors, to complement our academic prowess haha. Jokes aside, the space available has been very well utilised, and the facilities are top notch to say the least. There's more than ample space to take a break, and the environment is thoroughly conducive for studying. Perhaps a little too conducive...

5) Up till today, we've done ten experiments in the lab, with more to come. I'll finish my research by the end of this month, however, and after that I'll be expected to summarise my research in the form of an abstract. The prospect of presenting my research findings sounds very exciting to me, and I'm looking forward to it. Anyway, that is the end of my blog update, and a big thank you for visiting. Have a lovely day, cheers!

Hanging out with my friends at the new "Dispensary" on the Ground Floor!

(l-r: Echin, Me, Cass, Charmi, Raymond, SianWon)

Everything looks so fresh and updated <3 <3

The stairs to the auditorium

One could almost sleep here XD

The auditorium at level -1

Look at all the gym equipment!

The basketball court

Complimentary beverage at the Dispensary

Me, Zi Yan, Joshua hanging out for a cuppa

The first floor of the library

National Surgical & Clinical Skills Centre

The equipment looks familiar haha

Spiral staircase

Nobel Peace Prize...

Or bilateral trade?

Tripartite then :)

It wasn't an easy picture to take... ^^

For when you need motivation when doing squats...