My Blog

Big 23 birthday came and went this last friday and saturday. Had great fun…went out for dinner at Scott’s (had bruschetta with parma ham, olive paste, spinach leaves, tomato and a yummy wild mushroom risotto with parmesan cheese shavings and baby spinach) and hung round there for drinks. This was followed by a trip to Havana Brown’s. I had never been there before but hey, apparently its 23 and above so what do you know, I had no problems getting in :p. I managed to get all of us into the VIP lounge which was really really nice as you were far away enough from the dance floor, so you didn’t have to yell half the time. Music was mostly top 40 (mixture of R & B, Hip hop and house) and well, for once, the crowd was older :p.

So yea, Friday night was a big night..drank, well, quite a bit, lots of different shots here and there, which of course led to some very funny and somewhat embarassing outcomes. I’m not going to put up the photographic evidence of that event in question but like if you really really want to know, just leave a comment and I’ll tell you what it is..;)

Sat night..went out with the housemates for dinner and drinks for my and Jenna’s birthday. One of my housemates, Jenna, turned 24 a week before I did. Went to dinner at this place called Eastern Tandoori, which I have to say, has the best Indian food I’ve had so far in Cork. I ordered keema naan which had minced lamb on it and balti chicken. Was so so full after that but it was so yummy. We then headed of to Long Island for drinks but for some strange reason, 2 of my housemates couldn’t get in. Apparently they had upped the age limit to 21 and well, 2 of them were obviously under 21 so yea, it was slightly upsetting. We then decided to go to Suas. I had been there before and liked it but I wasn’t sure bout the age limit. But they didn’t even check when you went it so it was all good. Had two cocktails (lady killer and appletini) and then decided to call it a night. I was feeling pretty tired due to the night before.

All in all, it was a good weekend. Did no work at all but I hope to get at least 5 respiration lectures done today (yea, emphasis on the word HOPE :p). So need to catch up on FM 1002 so I can move on to FM 1003. But to everyone who came out for my bday (Vanessa, Vicky, Jen, Jing, Jess, Mei, Brandon, Greg, Hakan, Billy, Dan, Derek and my housemates: Anja, Tara, Jenna and Dan), thanks a million! It wouldn’t have been as good as it was without you guys. Oh and definitely not forgetting the ppl at home, the UK and in Melb..thank you all for all your wishes…those greetings definitely made my bday Love you all!

Wow…is it that time already? In 4 more days, I’ll be 23..pretty scary when you think about it. I know I know, when compared to some of you guys, I’m still younger..:p. But, damn, I’m  23 and still in uni, and even worse, I’m in my first year of undergrad medicine.

I remember having set plans when I was younger..out of uni by the age of 23, a more or less settled career by the age of 27, and marriage and a family all before the age of 30. Funny how things never worked out the way you want or plan them too. As it is, I’ll only be out of med school by the age of 28. Stable career, gosh, probably only by the age of 30 or even later. And damn that biological clock, it just complicates matters even further.. :p. Every plan made has just gone slightly haywire. These turn of events, well, its made making decisions and realistic planning tougher. And yes, as much as it saddens and frustrates me, I know I can’t have it all..I’m going to have to allow one aspect of my life to suffer slightly at the expense of the other.

So, yea, another year begins and I become a year older. They say wisdom comes with age, so let’s pray that the lightning bolt of wisdom does strike me this year as I am so desperately needing that jolt of inspiration right now, the inspiration to make the best and right choices for my loved ones and myself.

SO SO SO HAPPY THAT I PASSED!  I was so sure I was going to fail…I knew I totally screwed that paper up (two of the sections anyway) but surprise surprise..I passed it anyway!! Yay yay yay yay yay!!!

Now…all I have to do is do well in the finals to try and bring that grade up……

So results are popping out now. Just got one of the two last night. It wasn’t a brilliant mark but it wasn’t horrible either. Am not too upset with what I got (Second class honours) but you still can’t help wishing that you did better you know? Its okay though…I’ve got 3 more of these to make up for it….

What i’m really panicking about is that other exam, the one for the module you absolutely needed to pass to move on to second year. The entire exam is replaying over and over in my mind and each time I think about it, I remember mistakes I’ve made..aarrgh…its driving me nutty. I just keep thinking..if I fail this one, I’m going to have to get near perfect in the finals which just puts more stress on me. It doesn’t help that the med school likes ppl to just barely pass the modules. I guess it isn’t enough for them to overload us with so much info at one time..they have to make it extremely difficult to pass as well. AARGH!!!

Yes, a whole new term and a whole new year. Can’t believe its 2007 already. Time has flown by so quickly. It feels like only yesterday that I was in KK at wit’s end because the plans that I originally had for 2006 had fallen through.

The first day back at uni was tough. I struggled to both get up this morn for my 10am and even worse, was trying so so hard not to doze off or daydream during the lectures. My brain unfortunately is only 25% functioning atm and still in holiday mode. Hopefully, this situation will rectify itself by the end of the week.

Hols were great..spent massive amounts of time with Jen and family. Xmas dinner was lovely…tons of food as per usual. Am liking xmas gifts too BUT you know you’re getting old when majority of the clothes you get are professional wear e.g. suits, shirts etc. Oo…I got my first stethoscope ever which is excellent. Got it in black eventhough I had a HUGE range of colours to choose from such as raspberry, burgundy, royal blue etc. Figured black would be best for now.

Met up with Steph and some of Jen’s friends (Angel, Mei, Nimesh and Dickie) during the hols. Went down to London for Japanese dinner and then off to Sound for dancing and drinks. Music in Sound was interesting..they definitely mixed it up with some oldies and newer stuff. Was AWESOME to see Steph again..I miss my boob shimmy partner! Jen’s friends were great fun. The entire night was a success.

Was definitely sad to leave on Sun morn. Had a fabulous ‘going away’ dinner the night before. Thanks Uncle William and Auntie Virgie for putting up with my presence for the past 3 weeks. Really appreciate it. Oh and to my 3 cousins (Jen, Nat and Ben), thanks for keeping me company and thoroughly entertained…Missing you all heaps! Looking forward to seeing you again in six months!

Aargh. Just read that Wednesday’s going to be freezing…rain, wind and temperatures as low as 0 degrees. We’re definitely in winter now. May just have to bust out the long john’s which I hate coz they make my legs itch…*sniff*.

So the exams were finally over last thurs (the 14th). It felt so so GOOD (and it still feels great actually!) to have these exams over and done with. I’ve  never studied so hard for exams in my entire life. Well, i can’t really say that I’ve never worked so hard in my entire life because that’s not entirely true..i worked super hard last year. :p But actually studying for an exam…no..never revised so much for such a long period of time before. :p

I’m now at Jen’s place in Welwyn Garden City..fully enjoying the "having-to-do-nothing" life for the next 2 and a half weeks. I flew down on sat night after partying it up with my coursemates on thurs and fri night in celebration of the end of exams. It gave me a chance to say goodbye to everyone before they head home for christmas. Its going to be so weird to not be in contact with them for a while especially since I’ve seen them everyday for the past 3 months..but that’s fine, its not as if I’m not going to see them anymore or anything.

I’m excited bout being here in the UK. Its going to be so so great…going out clubbing on thurs for the FIRST TIME EVER in LONDON which will be awesome. Plan to go to stonehenge on Boxing Day and going crazy shopping in London when the after xmas sales start….:)

Now, Bel, I am not trying to make you sad and jealous..in fact, I wish I could be home right now to celebrate xmas with you! But, as it is, I’m not, so I’m making the best out of the situation..:p. Miss and love ya!!!

OMG…so so glad that the HUGE exam that I have been preparing for for the last 3 weeks is finally over. All that work boiled down to two hours of pure stress and panic. I’m really cut that I missed one part of the question but I think it was probably only worth 3-4 marks which isn’t too bad…:(

The MCQ’s were HORRIBLE..the worst multiple choice questions I have ever gotten. The short answers weren’t too bad..but the MCQ’s..yea..nasty stuff. One word just changed the question COMPLETELY :(..

Anywho..it’s over now. Nothin much I can do bout it. I just hope to GOD that I passed..coz that’s what i really want..just to freakin pass…

13 days and counting until I leave Cork for Jen’s…can’t wait! Anatomy, physiology and biochemistry is pouring out of my ears..i swear! There’s just no more room in this skull of mine to hold it all in…aargh..

Brain dead and hyped up on caffeine (good ol’ black coffee!)..that’s what I’ll be for the next week or so…

Meh..

Ahhh…Med Ball 2006 came and went last Friday and it was the night to top all nights..;). Food, drink and just general debauchery..what else do you expect from med students…hehe :p

The night began at 5:30 with champagne and truffles at the imperial hotel (really posh place btw). Everyone looked great, a much welcome difference from everyone’s normal appearance of ’so-can’t-be-bothered-going-to-class-and-been-up-all-night-studying’ look. We were then bused of to the Silversprings Hotel for the reception, while being serenaded on the way by some of the guys at the back..hehe.

Upon arrival, we all gathered together for a class photo. By this time, majority of the ppl there were ‘happy’ which led to some really really funny moments. Once that was done, everyone made their way downstairs for some mingling and drinking…

Dinner officially began at 8pm. A four course meal that began with a chicken and mushroom pastry thing, followed by vege soup, turkey dinner with mash potato, brocolli and carrots, and ended with a wildberry cheesecake with cream. It was a great dinner but myself along with everyone else couldn’t finish their meals…we were just all so STUFFED :).

An awards ceremony was held midway through the meals with a person from each year receiving a ‘golden scalpel’ award. The Golden scalpel award is given to the person who has done the most embarassing (or amazing, just depends on how you look at it) thing whilst under the influence :). To everyone’s surprise in our year, Hakan got the award for first med, for his unprecedented strength and stamina in bench-pressing Vicky during one of our several drinking outings. If you want to see the award-winning photo, leave a comment for me and I’ll direct you to the link..;)

Anyway, at bout 10:30, the after party began with a band called "revenge" playing. They weren’t half bad although many I knew would have much preferred a DJ playing. I had a blast dancing and drinking the night away (even allowing blisters to form on my feet! ). The night however would not have been a success with all of my friends around me, you know who you guys are :D. It was definitely a night to remember.

P.s-for photos of the night, leave me a comment and I’ll direct you guys to the link…