DAY 809-829

Nov 19-Dec 9

1) Where to even begin? Soon after our final class on Nov 21, we've been bombarded with exams after exams, and as I'm typing this there is one last exam to overcome. We had our CNSLF "mid-semesters" exams on Nov 26, then our finals started on Dec 2, with an exam every other day. We've literally gone through three huge exams in just one week - REGUB, GIHEP, CNSLF (which we had today - on Saturday(!)), with the final exam (TM - Tropical Medicine) coming up in three days.

2) And of course, as the exams are all in the main campus (much to the delight of pretty much everyone else) I had to travel everyday from Beaumont to the city centre. Add to that the chilly and recently rainy weather and that's a lot to take in. The only small consolation is thanks to the tight schedule, we'll finish our last exam very soon. And that would be it - 2.5 years (or 832 days) in Dublin!

3) As I am returning to Malaysia early (on Dec 16th), I have very little time to say a proper farewell to Ireland. Nevertheless, I have planned trips and meals with friends to make the most of what little time I have left post-exam. It will be very difficult to say goodbye to everybody, but hopefully it's just a roundabout way of saying I'll be back.

4) Now, as they say, I need to get cracking again. Last Paper Syndrome cannot get the better of me; I have to finish strong! My sleep-deprived, running-on-fumes, caffeine-imbued self can only take so much, but it will nevertheless take me through the last mile of our exam marathon. And that's that for today's update - I really do not have the luxury of time anymore (just for now - I'll have loads of time after exams XD). Thanks very much for reading, and have a lovely week ahead. Cheers!

The last day of lectures - with Prof. Arnold Hill

(Professor and Chair of Surgery, RCSI)

The last day of lectures - with Prof. Leader

(Professor of Pathology, who taught us from IC1 right till the very end of our journey 

(for the Penang students I mean XD))

With Ms Tanya Chapple - the most helpful person for anything and everything 

societies-related

Claire, Monika, Lanny, and myself

- at Cafe Nero enjoying some light conversation before the nightmare of exams begins :))

The Moon was out in full force this rather chilly morning - I wait at this particular point every time I need to go to the main campus!

A fun fact: this is the first balloon I've actually inflated and tied off - I know it sounds strange but I've never done it before! XD

Promoting our Cancer Soc's Bake Sale - all proceeds would go to charity, specifically the Movember Foundation which aims to raise awareness on men's health and research.

(P.S. That is my handiwork)

Posing with Eddy the Elk - the new official RCSI Mascot!! ^^

All the decorations are up in preparation of Christmas! It's gonna be a big one :)

Contemplating life's many intricacies the night before our first exam (if I remember correctly - my sense of day and time has been lost)

Our CNS mid-sem exams were in Beaumont - the first time we had our exams in the recently renovated Smurfit Building

Probably the most fulfilling meal I've had in a long time - at Croi na B Cafeteria at  Beaumont Cafeteria (some day I'll be able to pronounce the name haha)

I'm going to miss this view very soon. It's so quiet and tranquil at night...

Trop Med - one last hurdle to go, and I'm free! 

(until the next semester of course haha)

   

DAY 808

Nov 18

1) It was something that I had always dreamed of, but never thought would come. As I attended my first PMCSA Farewell Dinner (as a volunteer) two years ago, I was filled with envy for my seniors, who were on the verge of completing their pre-clinical years here in RCSI, and would return to complete their remaining clinical years in Penang, Malaysia. I wanted time to pass faster as I had my fair share of problems then. The cold bitterness of winter, coupled with personal problems made me long for home.

2) Only then did I realise the importance of friends. Back at home, I always had my family to rely on, to fall back to when I had problems. But living abroad - that was a completely new chapter in my life, as I needed time to adapt. And adapt I did, gradually. Fast forward two years, and here I am - sitting in the same chair as the seniors (metaphorically of course XD), attending our very own Farewell Dinner. And how times have changed.

3) Through my blog (or should I say in spite of my blog), I've made so many new friends, and I've gotten much better at sharing my problems and helping each other out. My loathe for the winter cold pales in comparison to the warmth and kindness shown by my friends, and my initial desire to return home quickly has turned to wishing time could slow down - to allow me more time to cherish my final moments here in Dublin.

4) It is true I still have a month or so before I leave, and a lot more to accomplish before going back. Exams are the final hurdles in what has been an explosive semester, one that started off as a bang and has only increased in scale and magnitude. But as exams are important, so too, are memories. Memories are what I would look back to in the future, and memories are what keeps my smile going. And memories are what drove me to write a poem for our Farewell Dinner yesterday.

5) It was in the days leading up to our REGUB exam, that I decided to draft out a poem for the upcoming event. I had just watched an episode of QI (Quite Interesting) on YouTube, where the theme was "limericks". I decided to base my poem on just that, adding a personal touch to it by including many of our professors and lecturers in it. It was 1 full night of my best time (which I could use for studying or sleeping), but it was time well spent indeed.

6) As for the Farewell Dinner itself, it was spectacular. The PMCSA Organising Committee did an amazing job with the overall event, from the decor to the food, and the complementary gifts we each received. It was truly a night to remember, and it was certainly fitting that if I were to present a poem to anyone, it would be at this event. I shall cherish the memories made, the wonderful ups, and the not-so-wonderful downs, that have moulded me into who I am today.

7) The theme of the event was "A Midsummer Night's Dream" - and it truly felt like a dream. But as all dreams come to an end, so too must I wake up - for my exams! Coming soon in less than two weeks. That's it for my blog post, but do enjoy the many pictures we took of the event, and have a great week ahead. Cheers! :D

The leaving PMC Medicine Class of 2021

With Dr. Jane Holland - our Anatomy Lecturer whose rendition of "Hallelujah" could easily have been mistaken for a professional opera singer's!

#ourlecturersarebtterthanyours

With Dr. Fidelma Fitzpatrick - Consultant Microbiologist at Beaumont Hospital, and Senior Lecturer at RCSI. I first met her during prep for the "Antimicrobial Resistance" debate for Research Summer School last year, and she's been teaching us microbiology since IC1. A true legend.

With Ms. Judith Gilroy - Associate Director for Academic Affairs - Student, Academic and Regulatory Affairs (SARA)

Beaumont Buddies! Canteen Companions! Bichie Bros! (the last one is just shameless advertising for Richie and Barry XD)

(l-r: Richie, Hazel, Myself, Andy, Zi Yan, Barry)

With Chloe, who hails from China :)

With Kaung Sett - congratz and all the best with your new role as Student Ambassador for 

Education in Ireland! :)

From l-r: Melvin, Melissa, Myself, Jing Er, Esther, Zi Yan

With Richie "Bichie Bros" Hogan!

With Ice, Alison, Zi Yan and Myself :)

With some of the wonderful JC juniors

With Claire - RCSI Cancer Soc Co-President, SU Vice President and Education Officer, and a wonderful friend :)

I'll miss all of you guys when I go back! :'(

With my good friend an all-round great guy Hussain Sajwani ^^

With the irreplaceable Lai - a HUGE thank you for helping make this event so successful!

With Razleena Aida :)

  

With Ruth and Sarita :))

With Marris and Zi Weei - brilliant event guys!!

Friends Forever!

From l-r: Nee Kee, Khee Heng, Stephanie, Mateen, Jun Sing, Myself, Zi Yan

Our table of the night - gonna miss you guys!!