DAY 1548-1563

Nov 28 - Dec 13

1) A lot has happened since my last blogpost. For starters, I have finished my psychiatry rotation, and have begun family medicine. The scope of family medicine is very broad - it's a complete mix of all rotations, and it's quite impossible to predict what type of complaint the patient might come in with. There are, however, some problems that are more commonly seen in family medicine. These include diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (collectively known as "the big three"), Nevertheless, it's been really interesting visiting the different health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan) and private GP settings to see what goes on behind the scenes.

2) I am of the opinion that family medicine gives medical students the most exposure in terms of practical skills. We have a clinical logbook to fill, which includes a list of procedures which we should ideally observe, assist, or perform. Some simple procedures include taking blood pressure and pulse, calculating BMI, the different types of injections (e.g. IM, SC, IV, ID), wound dressing, using the ECG machine and interpreting the results, and many more. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! Hopefully, we'll have practiced enough before sitting for our end-of-rotation exams.

3) Assessment for family medicine consists of two - the OSLER and DoSKE. OSLER stands for "Objective Structured Long Examination Record" - it is basically a 15-minute observed clerking of a patient, followed by a discussion on the differentials, investigations and management plan. The 40-minute DoSKE (which stands for "Documenting Skills Examination") assesses candidates on four tasks - writing a referral, writing a prescription, requesting an appropriate X-Ray, and requesting a blood investigation. At the end of the year - they will be the usual OSCE as well as written examination, consisting of single best answers, extended matching questions, and short answer questions. 

4) Studies aside, I've been quite busy with other events as well. I was an invited panelist for the "Aspiring Doctors Virtual Event", where I talked about my journey through medical school and intercalated masters. Here's the link of the entire video if you're interested - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ZCEj23vsY. Besides that, I presented a poster for the 31st International Symposium on ALS/MND, which was the culmination of my year long research as a Masters student. It was exciting to hear the progress made in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as motor neurone disease) research.

5) Yesterday, I again went hiking up Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) with my good friend Mad Noor. This time, we went up earlier, and I felt great going up the first half (to the lower station). A third way up the second half, however, I had a really bad stomachache. Knowing that I would not be able to reach the top in time, I had no choice but to descend back to the lower station where toilets were available. The worst thing is when I tried to resume hiking later, my muscles had cooled down and become a bit stiff. That made the second leg of the hike very arduous. Nevertheless, I made it to the top - eventually. We had a nice drink to cool off, before taking the tram down (that has become our routine).

6) All in all, it has been a productive two weeks for me. I anticipate that the days leading up to our Xmas break will be very busy, as I have a lot of catching up to do with my studies. That's all for today's blogpost - thanks very much for visiting, and have a great week ahead. Cheers! 

Dinner @ Lagenda House & Cafe, as recommended by Kuhan

(l-r: Melvin, Myself, Esther, Kuhan, and Melissa)

Dinner with Afifah and Sharifah - after a very long (but productive) day at Bayan Baru Health Clinic

Lunch at Tesco Food Court with my group mate Sharifah and our other two 

"group mates" Rachel and Afifah :)

Meet up with my buddy Zi Yan at the unlikeliest of places - college!

Chilling with a drink after reaching the summit of Penang Hill - with Mad Noor :)

Now that the highlight reels are finished, here are all the pictures in chronological order:

I ordered the fish meal - which came with butterfly pea rice, soup, and a "congkak" set of appetizers! :)

A close up of the "congkak set" - which consists of omelettes, crackers, tomatoes and onions, cucumbers, and dipping sauces

The same dish, but after removing the pandan leaf which covered the butterfly pea rice

Here are all our meals!

For dessert, a beautiful panna cotta with strawberry sauce

Some sago pudding with coconut milk

Caramelised bananas with ice cream - yum!

Today, Sharifah recommended that we try this popular franchise called "3 Budak Gemok" (lit: Three Fat Guys") - after our morning clinic session

Their specialty is "ayam kicap sambal power" (or sweet soy sauce chicken with sambal chilli)

I really liked the sambal, as it had a nice kick to it!

We're in Pusat Sejahtera USM today, specifically the lab department. Here are some interesting charts on urine microscopy (and what to look out for).

This is a Roche Urisys 1100 urine analyser

(you can see the test strip - which is dipped in the patient's urine before being placed in the slot for automated analysis)

Guidelines for the measurement of HbA1c - an important diagnostic and screening tool for diabetes

This is the A1care Analyser

Sysmex KX21N haematology analyser - basically where all the full blood count reports are handled

The tubes with lavender tops are called "vacutainers" - they contain EDTA as an anticoagulant, and are used for collecting blood samples for analysis (using the haematology analyser above)

The name of the restaurant is Bangkok Tomyam

We ordered "tom kha" (Thai coconut soup), "ayam gajus" (cashew nut chicken), and "kangkung belacan" (stir-fry water spinach)

The "tom kha" was very rich in flavour, but could have done with a bit more spice :)

Getting ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

This was just the beginning - they've now added photo booths and other shops surrounding the Christmas tree!

Tried the sizzling mee at Gurney Plaza - extremely filling!

Lunch with friends

Sharifah swears by these - the Swiss Roll from Bread History

(upon her recommendation, I decided to try one myself)

I must say, presentation wise, incredibly beautiful and delicious-looking Swiss rolls

Blueberry and chocolate combo!

Originally planned to use the gym - ended up in the Mezzanine instead XD

Getting ready to present my poster to the world!

A fruitful and rewarding experience indeed! Next year's symposium will be in Basel, Switzerland

My apartment is getting a makeover

In case it wasn't already clear, the newly painted side is on the left (the grey tone colour scheme)

At the lower station again

The view from the lower station was amazing! Too bad it was also a lot hotter than usual

Not sure how anyone would bring their bicycles up here in the first place XD

Map of Penang Hill

Just 200m more to go (the summit is basically just Cliff Cafe)

There are at least ten stores just like these on the lower deck - ready to capitalise on the tired hikers (myself included!)

Oreo milkshake

That's the face of someone who doesn't care about the calories soon to be consumed

Another spot recommended by Mad Noor - Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang (translated loosely as Ali's banana leaf-wrapped nasi lemak). They come in different flavours - cili bilis, udang, and sotong (chilli anchovies, prawns, or squid)

DAY 1488-1492

Sept 28 - Oct 2

1) So today's the last day of my post-MSc holiday life, as I shall be returning to medical school in Penang. If there is one thing that I truly dread, it is the hassle of moving. Thankfully, I was not alone in this, and my family decided to come along with me to help me move into my new accommodation in Berjaya Court, Penang. It is a strange feeling of both anticipation and excitement, as I prepare to continue my medical studies (beginning with psychiatry rotations) in Penang.

2) The days leading up to my departure have been bittersweet. On one hand, my parents have indulged me by letting me decide where to go for food or shopping. I've finally gone back to my maternal grandmother's house for a meetup with all my relatives, in celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the other hand, the next time I would see everyone would be Chinese New Year (and even that is not certain, as I am facing problems with the restructuring of my OSCEs for the end-of-fourth-year examinations). 

3) But as the saying goes - this too shall pass. In the blink of an eye, I have been transported here to my new accommodation, and I have unpacked all my belongings and gotten ready for psychiatry. The recent spike in COVID-19 infections is certainly a cause for worry, but as of now, we still have access to the wards and patients, albeit with tighter regulations and precautions. Hopefully, this does not change as only by real patient contact will we improve our clinical acumen and become better (and safer) doctors-in-training.

4) Getting back into the routine and mindset of studying medicine has been a lot harder than I had anticipated, especially after a long year's hiatus. This next year (fourth year) promises to be very interesting and challenging at the same time, with my group (Group B) tackling, in order: Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Therefore, I expect to become very busy, very soon.

5) Starting a new rotation means that blogging has to take a backseat to my studies. I wish I had the time (and energy!) to juggle both, but there is a lot more riding on my studies, including the expectation to graduate in time. That does not mean I will stop blogging, just that I may be busier than usual and have less time to do so. As it is, I want to apologise to everyone whom I've not managed to meet before leaving for Penang. I'll try my best to right this wrong the next time I return for holiday.

6) And with that, I shall end my blog post here. Thanks very much for reading, and have a great week ahead. Cheers!

Photo with the whole family (my aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, on my mother's side)
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival together at my maternal grandmothers' house in First Garden

Trying out some Korean food for a change - Myeong Dong Topokki @ Aeon Station 18

Jajangmyeon (noodles in a black bean sauce)

Beef bulgogi with rice

Lunch is ready

Afternoon tea with my family at the Food Court, Aeon Station 18

Dinner at Hadramout Paradise, just opposite Kinta Riverfront Hotel

We ordered three sets of "Chicken Mandi", with a pot of adani milk tea (a spiced tea drink from Aden, Yemen)

Fun fact: "Mandi" is a traditional dish originated from Hadharmaut, Yemen, consisting mainly of meat and rice with a special blend of spices, cooked in a pit underground.

Trying out nasi lemak at Gourmet Square - tasted real good with the sambal chicken :)

The kaya puff at Wooley is something that I truly crave - filled to the brim with creamy coconut custard, and encased in this golden brown baked crust <3

Tried another nasi kandar restaurant in Canning Garden, called Veventhen (not sure if I spelled it right)

Huge portion sizes at a decent price too!

My dad surprised my mum and myself when he came to look for us at Texas Chicken (

his tuition class had been cancelled so he was free tonight)

I frequently mention Wooley but I've never really taken the time to photograph the food complex - here it is :)

Wooley Food Court with my dad

It's been soooo long since I actually ran a decent distance. This is my first 10km of the year, and I spent it running at night with my dad. It was the worst feeling ever as my dad is really fit and I could hardly keep up...

Trying out a new recommendation from my parents: The Museum @ Greentown Business Centre

They specialise in what is known as "Tor De Char Siew" (as seen on the menu) - which is BBQ pork which is really high in fat content

Decor in "The Museum"

This is the "tor de char siew" - extremely fatty but if it isn't the most succulent and juicy meat I've ever tried XD

Paku vege (a type of edible fern) stir-fried with sambal belacan. Trust me, it's really good

Pomphret fish in simple soy sauce - very fresh and meaty!

Stopping by my mom's laundromat business to take a pic

My mom and myself, at my maternal grandmother's house

My nephew Wen Bin decided to photobomb just as I clicked XD

A buffet-style section had been set up, with fried noodles, curries, fried yong tau foo, veggies, acar (pickled spicy vegetables), and some sweet treats!

Some of the aforementioned food items on my plate :)

This is black sesame soup - a popular dessert in Cantonese cuisine. Personally, I prefer sweet peanut soup (or paste, depending on the consistency)

My maternal grandmother, or "popo (婆婆)" as I know her

Setting the table with mooncakes and different fruits (in preparation for praying)

A beautiful coconut jelly made by one of my aunts :)

This is a really interesting (and colourful) take on a mooncake - the filling is still the same (lotus bean paste), but the outside is shaped differently compared to a regular mooncake. Made by my aunt

Group photo with my uncles and aunts

The Mooncake Festival is all about gathering together and enjoying the full moon - we certainly did with our beautifully-made lanterns!

With my niece She Rou

With my mom and nieces

Always a child at heart

(I remember so vividly lighting lanterns with my cousins when I was a kid)

Mooncake jelly infused with bird's nest and goji berries (or wolfberries)

Mooncake biscuits, or "kong zai peng" (公仔饼)

Pomelo

My last day in Ipoh with family, and my dad and I spent it having brunch at the famous Medan Selera Dato' Sagor, just opposite the J.W.W. Birch Memorial

My last dinner with my family was awesome - we order food catering, plus there was leftover dishes from the Mid-Autumn festival the previous evening

Some leftovers from the festival

Getting ready to move out (yes, I have a lot of things...)

Nope that is not our car but a good friend of my mum's

Stopped by Ikea in Batu Kawan

Grabbing some brunch

Wear a mask, save some lives

This is my second time in Ikea - the first was when I was really young, we went to Ikea in Singapore

Trying out their much-publicised Swedish meatballs - 16 for RM16.50

IKEA being a furniture shop, did a really good job in advertising their products, especially with their interior decoration

Pretending this is my new room in Penang (one can dream, right?)

The famous warehouse aisle where people usually get photos taken XD

Decided to jump on the bandwagon myself

Having dinner at a Nyonya Restaurant in Gurney Plaza (this is after we reached Penang and I had moved my stuff into my new room)

My mom had the fried rice with pandan chicken

My grandad very happy to start eating his spaghetti!

I had the nasi lemak with otak-otak (grilled fish cake made with ground fish meat, tapioca, and spices)

Now I can store all my clothes!

Walked all the way to Gurney Plaza (okay it's not that far...)

There is a new Food Hall at the 4th floor

It's been a while since I last came here

The Food Hall is not completely open yet - from Oct 15 it will :)

Already there were loads of people - just imagine how crowded it'll be when it fully opens!

In the end, I decided to go with the signature chilli pan mee

Bought dinner after my daily run around the small park outside my apartment (yes I'm making it a point to exercise daily in a desperate attempt to shed some pounds)

First day of Psychiatry let's gooo!

Sepoy Cafe's nasi penyet

Psychiatry please treat me well - for the next 7 weeks at least!

Back to school - RCSI-UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC)