DAY 40

Oct 11

1) Today was another routine day. Got up to have cereal and milk for breakfast, before making lunch to take to RCSI. I almost forgot that class began at nine instead of ten, but luckily my roommate reminded me. Phew! Anyway, attended one lecture, before me and my friends went to the lounge to self-study.

2) After that, we were broken into small groups (around 10 students) and attended the small group tutorial. Today was our first clinical practical on cardiovascular disease. So we were taught how to inspect, palpate, percuss, and auscultate - the four common steps in diagnosis of a disease. I really learnt a lot today! It is really great that we get to practice in real life on a surface model (actor/ actress) in addition to reading the lecture slides itself.

3) For lunch, I had the toast that I made at home. Then it was an additional two lectures before school ended. There was a debate event scheduled tonight at 6.30 p.m., but I decided not to go because we weren't given the opportunity to debate. So came home, baked a simple steak and veggie pie that I got at Dunnes, and went up to my room to study.

4) Our room light had fused unexpectedly the previous night, so I called Eric (who's in charge of maintaining our house) and he gladly came to fix it. Thankfully, the light's working fine again, so I can study haha. Guess I will leave it at that for today. As always, thank you for reading, and have a great evening. Cheers!

 Cereal with milk

Nothing like a good breakfast to start the day! :D

Lunch - homemade toast!

Steak and vegetable pie,

not bad at all

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...

DAY 36

Oct 7

1) Today I woke up feeling a little under the weather. My throat was slightly sore, and I was having a cold. At least it is the last day before the weekends. So had my usual breakfast, before getting ready for school. This morning's lectures were on anatomy, before we entered the anatomy room for our practicals.

2) For students in Group A, there was card-signing today. Naturally, everyone was really worried as this was our first card-signing and we did not know what to expect. As it turned out, the surgeon prosectors (most of them, anyway) were understanding and would drop the occasional hint. All in all, it was far less nerve wrecking than I originally thought.

3) Had lunch at AK. Henry's. Today I tried their wraps, slightly more expensive at €3.50, but as you can see from the pics below, a really wholesome meal. I decided I wouldn't be cooking tonight, so I bought a panini for takeaway. Luckily I always carry around a spare container for food, just in case.

4) A couple of lectures after lunch, and school was over! Came back to my apartment, idled about contemplating life's intricacies, before having my dinner. The panini tasted great, even without reheating. It is really convenient NOT having to cook all the time haha. With dinner checked, I am going for a nap, before taking it easy for the rest of the night. Tomorrow there is an event called "Let's Talk About Autism". Most of my friends are going so I will be following suit. That's all for tonight, thanks for reading, and goodnight!

Breakfast

Lunch - a wrap for a change!

Panini with crisps for dinner

DAY 35

Oct 6

1) Today was an exciting day. Woke up to have a nice breakfast, in the form of toast with peanut butter and nutella, washed down with a glass of fresh milk. Perfect start to the day then. Attended two very simple lectures, and that was it! How cool is that?

2) Well, the main reason for the short lectures today is due to the fact that tomorrow is our first card-signing session, for Group A. I'm in Group B, so it doesn't apply to me... yet (mine is next Friday) Anyway, for lunch, we stopped by at Dicey's Garden, where the student's meal is fixed at €5.00. I had the battered cod, with all the sides, plus a moat of gravy. Perfecto!

3) Came back feeling extremely stuffed. Slept a bit, got out the books to study, and before I knew it, it was 6 p.m. Tonight was the first running event, organised by the Running Society of RCSI. We jogged all the way to Phoenix Park and back, stopping occasionally at the traffic lights. Turns out almost everyone I spoke to were ardent runners who had at least represented their own school, and one guy even claimed to have taken part in over 15 marathons! I felt so left out haha. Still did my best to keep up with them though.

4) After over an hour of slogging, we finally made it back to RCSI, where a big carton of chocolate milk awaited us. Pure bliss, and a lovely way to end the night. Walked home from RCSI, to cook dinner for myself. And the rest, as they say, is history. Preparing to study after this, so I'll be ending on this note. Hope everyone reading this had as fantastic a day as I did. Cheers!

 Nutella and chunky peanut butter on toast,

truly comfort food at its finest

Glass of milk for the bones

Battered cod with all the fixings

RCSI Main Entrance

Dinner time