DAY 147

Jan 26

1) Today was a holiday for us! I still had one class in the afternoon, but that was on library and retrieval skills so it doesn't count. Woke up late today (8.00am is late for me in winter haha), went downstairs to make breakfast and to pack my meals, before walking to the library. Basically I revised anatomy for the whole morning and part of the afternoon.

2) I paused for a short break to have my lunch and to unwind. Then it was another bout of studying, making notes and trying to condense as much info as possible into my brain. At 2.00pm, some of us had to attend the small group tutorial, in which they taught us how to use the RCSI Website to search for journals and how to cite and reference them. It was really helpful, especially considering we have an individual and team project coming up.

3) A bit more studying afterwards, and it was evening. Decided I'd take a break from study, and walked to college to change my clothes. I'd promised the Running Club I'd come for their first run this semester - a leisurely 4km stroll. What I didn't account for was the cold - running with just one jacket on is definitely NOT ideal in winter, much less so here in Ireland, where the winds get really strong as night approaches. After our run, I headed to another event - the Orthopaedic Research Night & Stryker Demonstration, organised by the RCSI Orthopaedic Society. Basically, there were some student research presentations, before a short break, followed by a demonstration on hip and joint replacement, by a company called Stryker. Zi Yan and I asked a representative loads of questions and we learnt so much about how bone and tissue engineering. It's such an interesting field to be honest.

4) Took my bath and changed, before coming back to the library to have my dinner. I've noticed my appetite increasing (quite substantially too) during winter, and I suppose it's the body heat we lose due to the cold. I certainly would not want to return to Malaysia as a roly-poly haha. Anyways, a third round of studying - this time on Immunology, and I was done for the day. I must say, almost all my friends here are absolutely crazy. They stay in the library all day like me, but unlike me - they don't seem to take breaks! Oh well, at least it's great motivation for me to try harder. That sums up my day, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks very much as always, and have a great day. Cheers!

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ^^

Breakfast for today

My usual spot at the Mercer Cafe

That's supposed to be my lunch, just laterally rotated XD

Event of the Night!

Hip and Joint Replacement Surgical Tools

Learning more about orthopaedics and bone replacement surgery from a representative of Stryker,

the largest medical technology industry in Ireland

(excuse the informal wear - I came directly after my run!)

That's me and Zi Yan

DAY 145

Jan 24

1) Today was a really tiring day for me. I got up early in the morning, had my toast for breakfast, before packing up and heading for our first lecture. After the lecture, Group A went for their anatomy practicals while I, being in Group B, went down to the Coffee Doc to study. Our turn arrived soon enough, and we learnt about the muscles and vasculature of the leg, and did some dissection too.

2) At 1.00pm, our session ended, and I had an hour's break for lunch. But instead, I went to the Group Study Room 3 in Mercer Library, where my friends had agreed to meet up to discuss about our upcoming Team Project. On top of that, we each have to do an individual project, not to mention our first quiz starts next Friday! And we're only into our second week of study...

3) Hurriedly returned to RCSI after the meeting, since not much time was left. Sat through another three hours of lecture, and by 5.00pm the entire class was mentally gone. Some of my friends went back to cook, while I returned to the library (my second home), where I took a short break while having my dinner. A power nap later, and it was back to the old grind, burying myself in study until late at night.

4) Finally, by about 9.30pm plus, my mind was completely saturated with info, and no amount prodding would allow anything to enter anymore. So I had a light supper at the Mercer Cafe, before packing my stuff and walking home. I still have to finish my laundry before tucking into bed. Oh well, that's another day in my shoes haha. Hope you enjoyed reading about it, and have a great day. Cheers!

Lemon and Lime Marmalade, Orange Marmalade, Smooth Peanut Butter Toast for breakfast today ^^

Some of my homemade chicken korma with rice, mixed veggies and roast potatoes for lunch

Chicken tikka masala for dinner today :)

DAY 143

Jan 22

1) Today has been another lazy Sunday for me haha. Believe me when one becomes a medical student we tend to forget the days of the week. The only tell tale sign that today is Sunday is the streets are a lot emptier in the morning, since most people wake up late or have gone to church. As usual, I got up late, had breakfast, and strolled over to the library.

2) Began my usual study routine, and stopped for a short break during lunch. Again I had pizza today, but tomorrow I will be having the rice I cooked the previous night. Just after lunch, I had a nice long conversation with my parents, as we would be spending our first Chinese New Year away from each other. Ah well, they may not be physically near me, but they will always remain close to my heart.

3) Took a short nap after that, and woke up feeling refreshed. Gained a second wind to continue studying, again stopping for a rest during which I had my chicken korma dinner. Came back to my desk, to continue studying for the third and last time for today. Took a breather to have my supper, and that was it for the day. Packed my stuff and headed back home, to cap a rather monotonous, yet productive day. That's all for now, and I hope you enjoyed reading. Thanks as always, and have a great day. Cheers!

Batch cooked for the next six meals ^^

That's my next set of meals (chicken tikka masala with rice)

Dunnes Pizza for lunch

Chicken korma with rice, mixed veggies and roast potatoes for dinner :D

DAY 64

Nov 4

1) Today was a really hectic day. Woke up earlier than usual because of our second Mid-Term Quiz today. I won't lie; this quiz felt even harder than the previous quiz. I really did my best though. Afterwards, it was one lecture after another, with an Anatomy Practical and Respiratory Lecture thrown in for good measure.

2) For lunch, my friend and I went to AK Henry's and I got the baguette. Of late, we've noticed less people in AK Henry's, for whatever reason. Anyway, lessons were over, but I still had stuff to complete. Came back home to take my bath and had a short nap. Then, I had to contact the doctor for our team's GP Visits on Nov 15. I had messaged him previously but not received a reply yet.

3) Dinner time! Went downstairs to heat up the frozen meal I bought at Tesco's. Turned out that the Wi-Fi at my apartment was down, and this made me quite stressed, as I need the internet for both academic and leisure purposes. After some thought, I decided that I would change my phone's mobile data plan yet again, this time back to Three (with unlimited data).

4) Walked to Grafton Street and did exactly that, before going to Mercer Library to type this out. Next, I will be going to my friend's apartment to watch a movie, title yet to be decided haha. That's all for tonight, and thank you for reading. Cheers!

 Baguette at AK. Henry's!

 Dinner time!

First time at the library (yes, that is my blog on the computer XD)

DAY 24

Sept 25

1) Today woke up early as usual to jog around St. Stephen's Green. Did 8 full rounds, which should translate to around 10km. The weather is getting colder and colder these days. Even with the Sun fully up, I can't feel the heat. And the winds are becoming stronger too. At least it's not raining. Anyway, came back for breakfast before - you guessed it - studying and revising the week's lectures.

2) For lunch, I heated up a frozen dinner - chicken korma with pilau rice. Tasted really good and hearty after the morning run. In the afternoon, I decided to pay Tesco Baggot a visit and found the prices there to be much (and I mean MUCH) cheaper than at Dunnes. I am definitely going to do my groceries at Tesco from now on!

3) Dinner comes soon enough when you're hungry. I blame the cold weather for it. I cooked pretty much what I will be cooking for a really long time here; rice with minced meat and vegetables. I used up the last of the rice which I brought to Ireland. After this, I will open the basmati rice I bought at Asia Market.

4) Not much transpired after that. Washed up, packed my stuff for tomorrow's lessons, before returning to my *studies*. Tomorrow's class starts at 8.00 a.m. Apparently the seniors weren't telling us everything when they said that class at 8 is only for the JC2 cycle. Thank god I'm an early riser then. Tonight's post is shorter than usual. But anyway, that's all folks! Cheers!

Lunch was delicious!!

One of the more amusing signs I saw on my way to Tesco

Dinner by the MasterChef XD