Chan Weng Kit's Blogspot: Climbing Gym

Friday, 25 November 2016

DAY 85

Nov 25

1) Today was an extremely FUN day! Woke up today for breakfast, and what would be our last lecture before the exams. Lectures were mostly revision, and helped to consolidate the vast information we had acquired until now.

2) For lunch break, I went to Dicey's (yet again!) and tried their home-made chicken curry. Tasted really good, and made me a little nostalgic too since it reminded me of home ^^. After that, we had a couple more lectures until 4pm, and then we were done! Went with my friend and debate partner, Kuhan, to library and then to his apartment to discuss the debate topic this Sunday, "THBT Communities Hurt by Gang Violence Should Not Cooperate with the Police".

3) We finished discussion in about an hour. Quickly packed my stuff to meet up at the RCSI lounge, where the RCSI Climbing Society were planning to go for the Blacklight Bouldering Event at The Climbing Gym, Sandyford. Took the LUAS and reached there about half an hour later. We were each given a singlet and climbing shoes.

4) There were 30 "problems" (climbing challenges) for us to complete, but I didn't really complete any because it was too difficult. I did have a lot of fun though, and even managed to win a thermal blanket in the "throw ping-pong ball into cup and get a free prize" challenge XD. All in all, a really fun day indeed.

5) After a while, took the LUAS back to RCSI, where I had dinner at Roma. Really delicious burgers and chilli fries they have there. Walked all the way back after that, and typed this out. That's all for today, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed relating my experience to you. Good day/night, and cheers!

Dicey's Menu

Chicken Curry with Chips :D

Kuhan and his great hospitality ^^

The Climbing Gym

Believe me, it wasn't easy haha

The detail on some of these was marvellous!

Me and Andrew

Thermal blanket that I won

Group photo

Group photo (sans flash)

1/4 pounder cheeseburger

Chili cheese fries

Saturday, 15 October 2016

DAY 43

Oct 14

1) Today was a jam-packed kind of day. Woke up in the morning, had some bran flakes for breakfast, before reaching RCSI before nine. As usual, we had lectures, and then anatomy practical sessions (since today is Friday). After that, a brief respite before our dreaded card-signing at two sharp.

2) Decided that I would indulge a bit for lunch, before coming back to study. So I went alone to Dicey's Garden, where I sampled their traditional Irish stew. I must admit, it was one of the best stews I ever had, maybe even surpassing the oxtail soup I had back in Ipoh! After that, travelled back to Coffee Doc in RCSI, before trying my best to study for the card-signing.

3) At 1.45 p.m., all of us entered the Anatomy Room. Our surgeon prosector today was Clive Lee, Head of the Department of Anatomy. In no time, he started off the session, occasionally handing out tidbits of additional info or providing a hint or two. The first group did really well, while it was tough luck for us in the second group. Most of us got a B, myself included. It really boils down to luck, and the kind of questions we got.

4) When it came to me, he handed me a scapula (shoulder bone), asked me its attachments, continued with a thoracic vertebra and asked me all the annotations before handing me a rib and finishing by asking me to list its articulations with the thoracic vertebra. I think what I'm hinting at, is that I was bombarded with a lot of questions, and not given enough time to think. Anyway, I accept the result, and I'll try harder next time.

5) After that was yet another lecture, but by this time my brain was completely fried so half my concentration was gone. Barely scraped through that, and today's session was finally over! Returned home for a short rest, before coming out again at 6.30 p.m. to RCSI. This evening we had our first belaying session, which is essentially a technique climbers use to exert tension on a climbing rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far.

6) At 7.30 p.m., we moved over to Trinity College, where there was a large indoor climbing gym. I practised setting up my harness with the double figure 8 knot, before proceeding to climb to the very top, using only grips of the same colour (mine was green, for beginners). I successfully did it twice, and managed to get some rope burn on my left arm, and bruises on my right knuckle. A great souvenir then I guess XD. Lastly, I was the belayer myself while someone else climbed up the rocks, all under the supervision of a trainer. After satisfying the requirements, I was awarded my first rock climbing certificate/ license! This more than made up for my card-signing results.

7) Came back at around ten, before reheating my frozen dinner tonight. Had a nice meal, got myself cleaned up, and headed back to my room where I'm typing this out. A well spent day, if I may say so myself. Thanks for reading, and goodnight!