DAY 449/450/451

Nov 23, 24 & 25

1) Just two weeks more to our end-of-semester exams. It's hard to believe that our semester is coming to an end, and Christmas is soon to come. On a side note, I attended the "Voices Without Borders" event, hosted by RCSI Friends of MSF. Prof. Ronan Conroy, Dr. Aidan Magee, and Prof. Samuel McConkey were our guest speakers for the night, and they each took turns to speak about their experience working in remote parts of the world. It was really exciting listening to Dr Magee's recent mission to Nigeria with the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Noma Project. Noma is a devastating gangrenous infection of the mouth and face.

2) After the event, we found out there had been a misunderstanding on the catering of food and wine. Apparently the caterers had brought the food to the wrong venue, as there was another event going on at the same time! So off we went to the Atrium, and those who attended the other event (organised by the Christian Union) came out to join us soon afterward. Apparently, we had ordered a wine and cheese reception, while they had gotten (mostly) oriental food. It didn't matter though, as we all graciously shared and feasted at the Atrium.

3) Yesterday was our last official anatomy. Granted, we may still return many times after this for practice, but it will not be the same as having actual lessons. We had Mr Fitzgerald as our surgeon prosector, who admitted that he "is grilling us hard now, but come exam time, he would look on the brighter side..." Certainly helps take some of the pressure away XD. Today was the last day of our lectures. For me, it was also the last OSCE Tutorial for the semester. My group finished off with the Cranial Nerves Examination Tutorial. With all that out of the way, it's time to focus on my upcoming exams, and hopefully get some proper revision done. That's all for this blog update, and thanks very much for visiting. Have a lovely weekend, cheers!

Group pic with my friends!

Booth outside the Auditorium

(Voices Without Borders event)

Voices Without Borders flyer

Dr Aidan Magee presented his stint with the MSF Noma Project

in Sokoto, Nigeria

Wine and cheese reception in the Atrium

Siu Yok (Roast Pork Belly)

Char Siu (Roast Pork)

Courtesy of the RCSI Christian Union

Tikka bagel for lunch :)

DAY 354/355

Aug 21 & 22

1) As part of the National Heritage Week 2017 at RCSI, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has opened its historic doors to the public for three days, from Monday to Wednesday. Free tours of the building will take place at 11am, 2pm and 5pm on each day departing from the main entrance to the College on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. As a student here, I thought it would be nice to learn a bit more about the history behind such an old and prestigious school.

2) The tour that I attended today was conducted by Mr. Bryan Sheils (Front of House Manager, RCSI) and Mr. Frank Donegan (Head Porter, RCSI). We started off at the entrance to the College (the old part of the building), as Mr Donegan explained more about the history behind our surroundings. We then proceeded upstairs to the Board Room, and subsequently the College Hall. We were especially lucky this time around as the RCSI Mace was on display for the week - something that doesn't happen save for really special occasions.

3) We passed through the Atrium and around the corridors as the tour drew to a close. In summary, we learnt the history behind the College Arms of RCSI, how it was founded after a Royal Charter granted by King Louis III, and its construction on an abandoned Quaker burial ground. As Mr Donegan so rightly pointed out, many of the pioneering inventions in surgery/ medicine can be traced back to Fellows and Members of the College. All in all, it was a great experience, and one that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Here's the website if you would like to book a tour for yourself, but be warned - the last tour ends tomorrow. http://rcsi.ie/heritageweek

Thanks very much for visiting, and enjoy the pics. Cheers!

With Mr Frank Donegan, Head Porter of RCSI

The main entrance to RCSI, 

with the Robert Smith Room to the left, and Abraham Colles Room to the right

(medical students might remember a Smith's fracture and a Colles' fracture, attributed to both of these surgeons respectively)

Exact replica facsimile of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Charter,

granted by King George III

Consilio Manuque - scholarship and dexterity (Motto of RCSI)

Apparently the artist commissioned with painting the portraits of the past RCSI presidents, also does the Royal Family portraits as well

Mr Donegan has been serving RCSI for 23 years 

(here he is explaining the significance of the patterns on the steps)

Barber poles - due to the fact that since medieval times, the practice of surgery was licensed by the Barber-Surgeons' Guild 

(red represents blood, and white represents the bandages used to wrap the wounds)

The Board Room

According to Mr Donegan, when First Lady Nancy Reagan visited RCSI, she fell in love with the three large carpets covering the hall (accordingly, she commissioned the exact same carpets to be made and they now adorn the Ambassador's office in the U.S. Embassy in Ireland)

The College Hall

Apparently the College Mace is not as heavy as it looks

The Council Chambers -where the various Heads gather for meetings

The Council Chambers - usually strictly off limits, except for today ;D

Mr. Harry O'Flanagan, 

whose namesake we derive the O'Flanagan Lecture Theatre from

Some pics of RCSI as it was when occupied by insurgents in the 1916 Easter Uprising (below)

Some well-preserved specimens

Not something I'd be interested in if I'm honest... XD

End of tour :)

DAY 222

Apr 11

1) Today was the last day of our lectures. After this, it's full revision mode until our end-of-semester exams. So as usual, I woke up early, just in time for the anatomy lecture at 9.00am. After anatomy lectures and the subsequent practicals, I returned to my "second home" - my library, for the rest of the afternoon.

2) In the evening, I went to RCSI for the Art Exhibition, organised by the Art Society. It was extremely exciting seeing so many art pieces on display, and such talent from the medical students! In all honesty, some of these paintings could have easily passed for a professional's work. There was a small reception at the atrium, where the exhibition was held.

3) Afterward, the Art Society had their Annual General Meeting (AGM), which I didn't attend because I had to come back early. I guess it's back to studying then, for the rest of the evening. At least we have time off for revision, so I'm just going to hope that's enough. That would be the end of my day, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Have a great day, cheers!

Group photo after last lecture of JC2 ^^

Art exhibition :D

My baby

Food galore

Amor aeternus

Amici aeterni (okay, that's enough Latin for a day)