DAY 1093-1096

Aug 30 - Sept 2

1)    It’s been a phenomenal past two weeks for me. In chronological order, I’ve picked up a brand new phone (a Huawei Mi9T) thanks to my dear mom, and it works really well. I really like the pop-up selfie camera, the long battery life and really fast charging time. In other news, I’ve collected the approved Tier 4 UK Student Visa from Wisma MCA, KL. I need the visa to collect my BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card for the duration of my stay in UK (quite similar to the IRP (Irish Residence Permit) which I used while in Dublin, Ireland.

2)   They often say things get worse before they can get better. Recently, I decided to take part in a “Virtual Run” – where you would run a certain distance (authenticated with a running app using GPS tracking) within a certain time period, and if successful, you’d receive a nice finisher’s medal. So the virtual run that I took part in was called the Merdeka Run (commemorating our country’s 62^nd Independence Day), and I chose the half marathon distance (21.1km). Also, I’ve recently gained quite a lot of weight, thanks in no small part to reduced exercise, increased stress, and terrible sleeping times (preparing for my exams).

3)    So in an effort to shed some pounds and net myself a nice finisher’s medal (and appear patriotic), I took part in the run. I woke up one fine morning, and began running. Remember what I said about things get worse before they get better? Well, my newly downloaded running app (on my new phone) didn’t work so well, to the point that I had been going for literally 2.5 hours and the distance still showed only 6km! Now I’m by no means a “fit” runner, but 2.5 hours to cover 6km is truly unbelievable. I had just spent the last 2.5 hours running for absolutely nothing… and at the rate I was going I would have taken at least 10 hours to finish the 21km.

4)    And so my effort that day was wasted. Later I decided that I would go back to the old running app that I was familiar with and use that instead. Lo and behold, the app worked perfectly fine – and so it was time to prepare myself mentally for another shot at 21km! But before that, I had an important alumni reunion with my teachers and friends at Tenby International School, Ipoh. It was indeed a privilege to be invited back to give a TED-style talk about my alma mater, as well as provide some inspiration to the future generation of leaders. More importantly, I had the opportunity to meet up with my old A-Levels teachers, my cohort mates and my friends. It’s really unbelievable how everyone has gone on to different paths in life, just a few years after graduating from Tenby.

5)    The second day, we went on a trek up Bukit Saiyong – just next to our school. It was a 1800m trek on uneven ground, but what surprised me most was all the teachers went along with us! Again, another perfect opportunity to catch up with everyone, and for some nice group pics. At the end of our journey, we had a nice lunch at the school canteen, thus capping off our first alumni reunion at Tenby. Much appreciation to the Sixth Form for coordinating such a successful event for the alumni, and hoping to return again next year! That’s basically it for this edition of my blog post, do look forward to the next one coming real soon. Thanks for reading as always, and enjoy the pics below. Have a lovely week ahead, cheers! 

Group photo time - with fellow cohort mates (Cohort 10), Mrs. P, and Madam Lau - at Saiyong Eco Forest Park!

Ice-cream at Marrybrown - right after getting my new phone :)

 Photo with mummy :)

Smiling outside but a bag of emotions inside - my botched (first) attempt at running the 21km

Tenby alumni reunion - with Brendan (from Cohort 12) and Mrs. P - who taught us A-Levels Physics

Breaking the ice over a game of "Splat"

Mr. Louis welcomes the alumni back for the first ever reunion - ft. Quest University Perak (QIUP)

Alumni including past students and teachers/staff alike

Hard to believe the size of the current A-Levels batch - nearly double our cohort (Cohort 10), and ours was by far the largest cohort at the time!

 Merdeka celebration about to begin...

I certainly wasn't expecting such a huge turnout

Primary and secondary students alike, along with former and current teachers and alumni - all under one roof - celebrating our country's independence

Mr. Davidson officiating the Opening Ceremony

And away the balloon goes!

Until it's reached the ceiling...

We heard poems in different languages from the talented Tenby students - chronicling our leaders' struggle to obtain independence for our nation

Really wonderful seeing the enthusiastic students performing!

The Chinese fan dance

Indian cultural dance

Reenactment of the "Tugu Negara" (National Monument) that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, particularly during World War II and the Malayan Emergency

The Malaysian Army March

Choral speaking

Lunch with fellow Tenbians of Cohort 10, and Madam Lau (who taught us A-Levels Mathematics)

From l-r: Kai Feng, Wataru, Bryan, Maiko, Madam Lau, and myself

Fast forward to next day - trek up Saiong Eco Forest Park - right next to our school

Mr. Louis briefing us on what to expect

From l-r: Merisha, Wataru, (I'm so sorry I really have forgotten your name), San Jet, Alia, Dhipan, Myself

From l-r: Mrs. P, Wataru, Alia, Myself, Madam Lau, Maiko, Bryan

Getting ready for our group photo

Lunch after a long hike was fab! :)l

Farewell photo just before I left!

l-r: Myself, Merisha, Dhipan, Alia, Ivan, Wataru, Ms Chong (who taught us A-Levels Chemistry), Maiko, Madam Lau, Bryan, Brendan

A United World At Peace - Through Education

Pizza time with family ^^

Durian cheese pizza - at Pizza Hut

DAY 364/365

Aug 30 & 31

1) Today (Aug 31st) is a very special day for Malaysians everywhere. It represents 60 long years our nation has been free from the shackles of colonialism. 60 long years since the chants of "Merdeka!" (Independence) rang across the then newly completed Merdeka Stadium. Fast forward today and Malaysia is a thriving tourist destination, known for its white, sandy beaches, medical tourism, and lest we forget - the FOOD!

2) But Aug 31st signifies something else for me as well. It marks exactly 365 days since I waved goodbye to my family at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). Thinking back, it was really strange, and I remember asking myself why I wasn't feeling too emotional when leaving everyone for Dublin. In fact, all I was thinking about at that time was making new friends and starting a new life abroad, as a medical student.

3) And then, as days turned to weeks, and weeks to months - it hit me. The nights became longer; the once cheery and sunny weather replaced by dark, freezing winter. The fact that this was my first winter did nothing to improve my overall mood. I remember laying down to bed at night, reminiscing about the good old times with my family, and all we used to do together. Then it occurred to me - I wasn't thinking properly, was I? When we try to remember fond memories, we usually mentally highlight the best moments, and conveniently neglect the not so good ones. Thinking back now, I remember clearly all the times I felt confined at home, or bored out of my wits with nothing to do (in the weeks leading up to my departure).

4) As the new semester approaches, I have made peace with my inner self. I miss my family, friends and teachers just as badly as before (if not more so), but I know I will return to see them soon. And right now, my mind has to be in its rightful place for me to make full use of the time that I have left here. More than anything, a year abroad has taught me independence - the ability to live and thrive by oneself without relying on others. Perhaps this is in a way quite fitting, that the end of my first year should fall on the very day, 60 years after the Union Jack fell and the flag of Malaya rose to grant our country independence.

5) Aug 31st signifies yet another milestone for me. It symbolises the end of my time as a researcher, and the continuation of my education as a medical student. Today, I said goodbye to Prof. Kathleen Bennett and Dr. Catriona Cahir, both of whom have been exemplary in guiding me in their respective projects. Unfortunately I was not able to get a photograph with Dr. Cahir, but rest assured I shall return to Beaux Lane House to meet up and discuss future proposals soon. At the same time, I'm looking forward to a new semester - with all my old friends, a whole host of eager and bubbling juniors, a new academic building, and the same long-suffering lecturers.

To a new and better Malaysia, to yet another great year, and to ever higher aspirations and achievements! Cheers! ^^

Happy 60th Independence Day Malaysia! ^^

My last day doing research under Prof. Kathleen Bennett, 

HRB Leader and Associate Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology,

Division of Population Health Sciences, Beaux Lane House,

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

When you know the staff at AK Henry's too well :)