DAY 215

Apr 4

1) Today has been a really tiring day for me. I got up really early, so that I could revise just a bit more for the histology quiz at 8.00am. The problem with me is, somehow I cannot function normally in the morning. That means everything I studied the previous night will go down the drain, lost after my sleep. So to compensate for that, I need to revisit my notes just before the exam.

2) The test itself was challenging, but doable. I felt the initial questions were quite hard, while the later sections (REGUB) were a bit easier. All in all, it was a 45 minute paper with 30 questions. So few questions, yet so much time invested to absorb every minute detail. After the paper, it was time to reward myself, so I went to AK Henry's for a Full Irish breakfast. This is fast becoming a trend for me haha...

3) After that, we were free until 2pm, at which point we would have our Healthcare Symposia. So I took my stuff to the library, and it was time to sleep(!) Not the best way to establish a sleep pattern I admit, but since I'm only doing it for exams, it should be fine. Woke up in time for lunch, and after some dilly-dallying, it was back to RCSI for the Healthcare Symposia, which was on sickle cell disease.

4) Two women, both from Nigeria, came forward to talk about their experience with sickle cell anaemia in the family, and the associated stigma. One of them brought her daughter, who had the disease. It was really touching to hear about their plight, and to see how much they wanted to advocate for change and awareness. Next, we had one more lecture, before lessons ended!

5) Back at the lounge, there were doughnuts and pizza served, as well as a photo booth where we could get our photos taken. All of this was courtesy from team RSU, who are running for the next Student Union. Besides, there were tonnes of activities; everything from henna painting, to Twister, chess, card games, and even two PS4s! I didn't stick around for long though, but came back to take my belongings at the Coffee Doc.

6) Returned to the library, where *surprise surprise* another team, "ReSUrgence", had set up a stall at the library entrance, giving away free energy drinks. Grabbed my fair share of it, before returning to my spot to type this out. I'm spending the rest of the evening here, probably going to finish off my ICP Portfolio. Yes, there really is no end to the work, is there? But I'll admit, it's been really fun so far. Looking forward to more activities, and stay tuned for more... Thanks very much for reading, and have a great day. Cheers!

Shenanigans with my friends, courtesy of RSU 

(I like how they had enough space for a fourth photo, but instead chose to dedicate that slot for the team logo ^^)

Nothing like a Full Irish to brighten one's day ^^

Two doughnuts, along with some random pics from the photo booth XD

My two doughnuts ft. Melvin's two half-eaten doughnuts (L) and Melissa's doughnut (R)

Really intricate chess pieces, if I may say so myself

Nxf6# makes for a really beautiful mate for white (this was a friendly game between me and my friend, who shall remain anonymous for now - as friendships have been broken by lesser deeds XD)

Two cans of Red Bull, courtesy of team "ReSUrgence"

DAY 169

Feb 17

1) Today has been an extremely exciting day! I had an important decision to make, sit for the lectures today, or go for ICHAMS (International Conference for Healthcare and Medical Students) 2017! Unfortunately, the two events coincided with each other, bringing back memories of "The Road Not Taken". And after long contemplation, I chose to forgo the HBPS module as well as the Healthcare Symposia(!) to go for ICHAMS. Not perhaps, the wisest choice, but what the heck - might as well seize the opportunity.

2) So after our anatomy practicals, I went to my GP appointment at Mercer Medical Centre, where I was given the second dose of MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella) for lifelong immunity. Came back to the Exam Hall for the ICHAMS event, where there was a poster exhibition. These were posters done by undergrads from all across the globe, including such names as King's College London, Trinity College, and of course our very own RCSI! We even had extra stalls set up for various programmes such as the Erasmus Programme and the University of Groningen, Netherlands! At the end of the day, there will be awards for best poster presentation as well as best oral presentation.

3) After lunch, we headed over to the first event - the Laporoscopic Skills session, and I discovered that it was quite similar to the previous sessions of laporoscopic skills research programme that I was taking part in! So I switched with Aisha (I'm not supposed to but oh well...) and went for the Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine event, which was a really interesting talk on sports injuries especially on the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus). Next, we had the Oral Presentation Session at the Harold Browne lecture theatre. The first speaker of the day was none other than Tenby's pride, Nicole Fong! Essentially, each speaker was given around 10 minutes to present on their research which they undertook over the previous summer, with questions by the panel of adjudicators to follow afterwards. It was very interesting to listen to different presentations by the various speakers of the day.

4) After that, I went over to the Cheyne Lecture Theatre, where there was a talk on Personality Disorders, specifically on EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder). The talk was given by a professional psychiatrist, who divulged a lot of her personal experience in treating patients with this type of condition. Again, another eye opening lecture, and well worth skipping the Healthcare Symposia. At 5.00pm, my friends (who did finish sitting through the Healthcare Symposia) joined me and we sat for Keynote Speech 2 - a talk on "Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death". The speaker - Dr. Joseph Galvin, was, coincidentally, an alumnus of none other than RCSI haha. Next was the Opening/ Welcoming Speech by the Dean of RCSI herself, Professor Hannah McGee. This was followed by the wine and cheese reception, in which we were more than glad to contribute our empty stomachs. A fine selection of cheese of all shapes and sizes, paired with crackers as well as a plethora of wine and juices - and that was just the beginning! The group went off for Pub Crawl next, while I stayed behind to type this out.

5) Anyway, most of my friends headed off for Ballad Session - organised by the Music Society as part of RAG week, and held at the Opium Rooms. I didn't go for that, so I stayed back instead and finished the rest of my blog. That has been my day today - really eventful, and very, very educational. I hope you enjoyed reading about it, and stay tuned for more updates on ICHAMS tomorrow! Thanks for reading as always, and have a great day. Cheers!

Group photo time ^_^

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Spring cannot come any quicker haha

Cupcakes for a cause - by the Floating Doctors of Ireland

Pizza for lunch haha

They look so pretty <3<3<3

Poster Session (at the Exam Hall)

RCSI Bahrain and Suzhou University (CHN) collaboration

Jagiellonian University, Poland

King's College London

Queens University Belfast, UK

Our very own RCSI ^^

University Medical Center Groningen

Laprotrain machines - endoscopic trainers with 3D function

Everyone wearing the 3D glasses while carrying out simple tasks mimicking endoscopic surgery

Without 3D glasses

With 3D glasses XD

The Oral Presentation session :)

Nicole Fong as the first speaker of the Oral Presentation :)

Dr Sorcha McManus, Senior Registrar & Clinical Lecturer Psychiatry, RCSI,

giving her talk on EUPD

An aboslute honour to have my picture taken alongside the Dean of RCSI, 

Professor Hannah McGee

Pic with Dr. Sarah O'Neill, Faculty Advisor of ICHAMS and 

Director of the Research Summer School (RSS)

Dr Galvin's speech on Sudden Cardiac Health

Nice to see Malaysia having two representatives here - RCSI Penang (PMC) and RCSI Perdana

Quiche

Wines and juices

Cheese platter - very Western style haha

Quiche

So many colours ^^

Me, Melvin and Melissa, enjoying life

RCSI MUN 2017

DAY 166

Feb 14

1) Today has been a typical study day for me. I woke up reasonably early, had my breakfast before coming over to RCSI for our first lecture. Today we had our first Healthcare Symposia, which is when a patient (in this case, someone living with epilepsy) is invited to give a talk about their condition and how they are coping with it. Based on all their shared experiences (total = 8), we are required to complete our portfolio for ICP (Introduction to Clinical Practice).

2) After that lecture, my friends and I went to Subway to get sandwiches. Apparently there was an offer - buy 1 drink and get a sub FREE - which really appealed to us haha. Lunch covered, for only €1.95, plus I got a new bottle too XD The rest of the evening was spent attending more lectures, and going for the last Passport for Success (P4S) programme, which taught us how to network successfully.

3) I did not return to the library after that, but instead went up to the Nightingale Lecture Theatre, where we would be practising for our International Night. Rehearsal started at 6.00pm, and we made some good progress today. I decided to remain in RCSI until they closed, studying and idling about in equal parts, before walking home later that night. That is all for my blog update today, and I hope you enjoyed it. Have a great day, cheers!

s

Today's guest speaker was Mr. Paul Sharkey, Training Manager of Epilepsy Ireland

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise

Subway Sandwich! (Chicken Teriyaki 6 inch)

Reflecting on my life at Nightingale Lecture Theatre XD

DAY 39

Oct 10

1) Today was a routine day of sorts. Woke up and had breakfast -peanut butter and nutella sandwiches, before going to school. We had one lecture on Biomedicine followed by another one on Cardiovascular Systems. Then it was time for lunch.

2) Tried out the cottage pie at AK. Henry's, as well as a chocolate muffin, which my friend apparently swears by. The cottage pie was so-so, but the muffin was absolutely delectable! Went a little over the budget today (total cost me €7.70), but I was feeling rather peckish...

3) Anyway, today was also our second healthcare symposium. Basically, two speakers gave their speeches on diabetes. The first speaker talked about a programme called Diabetes Ireland, and how they were using it to empower diabetes patients to take control of their lives, as well as promoting public awareness on the issue. The second speaker, being a type I diabetic, explained the challenges of coping and living with diabetes on a daily basis.

4) Time passed by quickly, and soon the talk was over. I paid a trip to Dunnes, to purchase some frozen meals. I'm trying to mix things up a little; to add a little variety into my meals. After that, it was straight home, where I am about to prepare dinner. After that, I will go into my usual routine of studying and surfing the net until bedtime. Another routine day, and hopefully tomorrow will be more exciting! :D

My daily breakfast ritual

 Cottage pie (€5.95)

Chocolate muffin, 

literally to die for!

 Bowl of Maggi Mee Kari,

enough to evoke memories of days gone by...