1) Tying up loose ends. That would be how I might describe the past two weeks. Basically, there are quite a few deadlines coming up in the next few weeks - the Module 3 Essay deadline was fast approaching; we had mock practice for our Clinical Presentation (Oral), for which we also need to submit an abstract; and we have to prepare for a Statistics Exam and an Abstract Writing Exam. So basically I've spent the past week finishing and submitting my Module 3 Essay (on Multiple Sclerosis), and preparing for my mock presentation.
2) I've decided to deliver my talk on the effects of coconut oil (especially Virgin Coconut Oil, VCO) on Alzheimer's Disease. Past research (cellular studies, animal models, and clinical trials) have shown that the behavioural changes (reduced anxiety, improved cognition) correlate well with the pathology seen on immunohistochemistry. Therefore, it seems an avenue ripe for further research, given that coconut oil is already used in many South-East Asian countries. More on that when the time comes - for now I need to submit my abstract in two weeks' time.
3) Given how busy most of us have been, that didn't stop us from having some fun. As I write this, my friends have just come over for a pizza party/movie night out. Everyone has watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy, except yours truly. And so my good friend Sai, with a heart of gold, had bought the entire trilogy on Netflix. We had originally planned on watching at least two movies (given that we had booked the Cinema Room from 5-10pm), but obviously we had underestimated the duration of each movie. The extended version of the first show (The Fellowship of the Ring) is over three hours!
4) In short, it was a really enjoyable movie - one which gave rise to a number of now-classic memes, including the common "One does not simply walk into Mordor!" and "You Shall Not Pass!" Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the CGI and special effects, especially for a show that came out in 2001. It also helped that the Cinema Room had top-notch surround sound and was itself sound-proof - really enhancing the entire cinema-like experience. We were (seriously) contemplating a full marathon (watching the other two movies in succession) but finally decided against it. There will be another next time, and it will (hopefully) be next Sunday.
5) That's basically it from me for this edition of the blog post. Today is International Women's Day - so more power to women! Anyway, thanks very much as usual for visiting, and have a great week ahead. Cheers! :D
Sunday movie night!
ft. Malavika, Myself, Sai, Yueran, and Sanika
Street food near where I live (only open on weekdays)
The opposite view to the picture above XD
Creole burger :)
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia - just right down the street where I live
Long time since I've had the stew chicken with rice and peas at Delly Caribbean Cuisine @ Camberwell Green
Mixed fruits from Tesco
This was really good delicious and filling - Korean grilled beef (spicy)/chicken (not) combo with rice
Functional Neurological Disease - a mid-week lecture probably more suited for clinicians, but we went anyway
Tate Modern - a large repository for art
This is one good value-for-money fish and chips
Just look at the amount of meat, and so flaky and fresh!
Probably paediatric psychiatry...
Me smiling before the procedure begins :)
Dr. Doreen Fialho about to stick a fine needle EMG (electromyograph)
into my adductor pollicis brevis (APB) (one of the muscles in my thumb)
Now she asks me to move my thumb against resistance and looks for the spiking (activity) of the muscle
If you zoom in, that's the needle in place
And if you look at the computer, the spikes show the activity of my thumb muscle as I move it - by analysing the spike patterns, diseases could be diagnosed
Here's a clearer view of some of the patterns generated by different muscle groups on needle EMG
Tried some fine chargrilled chicken udon at Itsu - plenty of greens and a healthy option
Had their sushi box set for dinner
Bangers and mash, with a side of peas for lunch today
So one of the food stalls near where I live sells rotisserie chicken with sides, and it is out of this world good! Well worth it for £6.50 imho
The Spanish cuisine stall where I get my Spanish omelettes and/or paella from
Louise House Student Accommodation, my home for the next four months or so
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - let's go!
What a treat to watch the show in the Cinema Room (with really good surround sound, not to mention it's sound-proof!)
Margherita pizza
Pizza party
T'was an enjoyable night!
