Addendum

For those who remembered my previous post on AMC accreditation achieved for Monash Malaysia, you can find the summarised report here.

Victoria burns

The weekend was a scorcher, with temperatures peaking at 42.1 degrees (hottest sumemr day in 50 years) thanks to the bushfires. Then, came the rain on Monday, and it was freezing cold. Yesterday, it was smoky, with haze blanketing Melbourne (kind of resembles back home in Malaysia)..



Today? The wind threatened to blow my clothes off.

Melbourne weather. Enough to drive a med student anxiously waiting for his results nutz.

View from the scenic lookout
From left to right: Rachel, Ian, me, Lilea, Michael, Ivy, Lionel

Strawberry farm (too bad didn't get to pick strawberries because of hail damage.
Cherry picking


At the beach



Umm.. father and son? :p
Ian: How in the world does this camera work?
Lilea and Ivy: Oi, playing hide and seek ar? The grass not tall enough for you leh :p lolz

We got AMC accreditation!

A friend of mine received an email from the AMC:

Dear Ms Lim,
The Australian Medical Council resolved on 24 November to grant accreditation to the Monash Malaysia course.
This decision be on the AMC website in due course.
The teaching of the Monash medicine course geographically in Malaysia will commence in 2007.
Regards

Karin Oldfield
Medical School Accreditation Officer
Australian Medical Council
Ph: (deleted)
Fax: (deleted)
email: (deleted)

and the best thing is, in another email received from the faculty:

I am pleased to tell you that we have just been informed by the
Australian Medical Council that they are giving full and equal
accreditation to the Monash MBBS degree in Malaysia as they are giving
to the degree in Australia.

Now that AMC accreditation has been attained, MMC accreditation will most probably follow suit. One hurdle down, one more to go: Singapore Medical Council (will be a challenge due to the Malaysia-Singapore politics and hardcore NUS people who mostly make up the board). Note: Singapore does not recognise any qualifications that come from Malaysia.

Jacinta's 21st Birthday

Ok, we celebrated the birthday of Jacinta, one of our dear CG members, earlier last month. The theme: Around the World / Multicultural. Enjoy! Pictures courtesy of Anto and Robby..
Food, glorious food..












Chronicles of CG6b:The 'Datuk', the coffeeshop owner and the Sarawakian village head chief :p
















Me and Angelina (Miss Himalaya Singh ;p lolz)

Me and the birthday girl
Group photo

30 years from now..

haha.. i was browsing other university's website and guess what I found? :p lolz
http://www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/leonggm.html

Lately..

I know I've not been blogging properly lately.. I've been busy - should find some time to write stuff and post photos.. but anyway, I shall post about some songs i like.. I like Michael Wong.. yea, I know I'm a banana (ie i don't know what he is singing in mandarin).. but I still like his songs (he's so famous now that Tourism Malaysia used him to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2007).. here are some of his songs that I like.

Global warming

Last week it snowed in Dandenong and we got hit in the city by hail stones (Ouch, I have been asking for it for months and now I know what hail stones felt like). This week, it was 39 degrees (freaking HOT). Last month we had an earthquake measuring 2.5 on the richter scale. Read the signs?

More funny things from across the Causeway

Dedicated to friends and people from NTU.. if any of you knows the lecturer :p
p/s: The funny bit starts after 1 minute 30 seconds, but I hope you guys don't mind watching the first minute to know what's going on.

Funny stuff from across The Causeway

haha.. i know it's quite some time already, but enjoy this comedy video from Singapore!

Romancing the tulip - Part 2

Romancing the tulip - Part 1

Remember the tulip farm photos which i promised? Sorry for the delay, here they are:



Oh, that's just me trying to be funny :p
Shaun, me, Cheryl and Kristy

The sign says it all

I can't think..

Half an hour to my OSCE... can't really say i'm prepared.. i'm just hoping to get it over with today.. the stress has already given me enough sleepless nights, numerous toilet episodes and trembling hands..
What in the world am i doing here?

Plan B

9th November everybody finish OSCE
Plan: 10th November planning to do a BBQ or pot luck gathering / outing in Melbourne city
Of all dates, why 10th December? Because many people who are leaving for back home on 13 /14th November need time on weekends to pack.. and this is basically our last group outing together in Australia
Problem: I got CG dinner at night on the 10th November
Solution: Anna agreed to make it a lunchtime outing.. (problem solved)

Plan: Everyone was planning to get one of those cool hairsprays (like those on Nickelodeon, which comes in pink, blue and green etc) and just get whacky on that day..
Problem: CG dinner in a reasonably posh location. Need to wear formal, will look very 'sesat' if come in with some weird hair-do..
Solution: Try to get one which can be removed with one wash, otherwise if not time or no shower facilities, I don't dye my hair. (problem solved)

Plan: Lepak, plus camwhoring plus eat in city
Problem: Food how?
Solution: Either pot luck (i'll make brownies again, Ben and Angela settle the rest) (problem solved)

Summary of plan:
- Morning go city
- Lunch time eat and be merry, take photos
- Afternoon - hang around in city
- Evening - rush back home for pick up for dinner
sounds ok..

Received an email 10 minutes ago..
"There is a meeting on 10th November from 12-1pm. Monash Malaysia staff from Sunway will be coming down, and this is a good chance to get to know them and pop questions. Hope to see you guys at the meeting."

...........

Ok, now what..?? (rush to city at 1.30 pm and rush back to Clayton at 5pm??)

Gary's Anatomy..

..sucked.. well, if you can't remember the 'what nerve goes where' which you've been cramming for sleepless nights, burying your head under Gray's and Moore's, what's the point going for the killer exam yesterday?? Seriously I didn't want to think about it anymore since it's just.. depressing. When the rest of us were drowning in agony (a friend almost fainted due to the level of stress), there were a few people who finished the paper in 1.5 hours out of 3.. hello, can i have the honour of smacking you guys in the head? lolz..

Some questions from yesterday to make you pull your hair out..

A. Chiropractic
B. Herbal medicine
C. Vitamin therapy
D. Naturopathy
E. Homeopathy
F. Aromatherapy
G. Meditation
H. Acupuncture
I. Reflexology
J. Tai Chi
K. Hypnosis
L. Osteopathy
M. Spiritual healing

EMQ 1
Of the above, list FOUR complementary and alternative therapies most often referred to by GPs.

EMQ 2
Which therapy is the one which is most commonly practised by medical practitioners?

MCQ 21
In a study on NSW medical interns:
A. 85% felt a personal sense of accomplishment after graduation
B. 25% met the criteria for psychiatric morbidity on at least one occasion
C. There was 75% peak prevalence of burnout after 8 months
D. 21% suffered from depersonalisation
E. 28% met the criteria of emotional exhaustion at the middle of the year

On top of that, some stuff for next week's OSCE to really make your life more miserable:

Mr X is a 70 year old divorced lawyer (ie someone you wouldn't want to mess with) who suffers from osteoarthritis of the spine and hips, hypertension, mild cardiac failure, bilateral cataracts and bipolar affective disorder. His arthritis significantly limits his physical activity, to the extent that he has difficulty performing simple daily tasks.

He lives alone and cares for himself, despite his disability. His son and a daughter visit him weekly despite his erratic moods and often abrasive personality.

His children are increasingly concerned about his ability to drive a motor car. He has been involved in a number of minor accidents over the past few years as well as some additional narrow misses. In view of these facts and his evident physical disability, his fitness to drive is most probably impeded. His children have raised with him the possibility of giving up driving but being a stubborn person, he has always rejected it.

You are the patient’s general practitioner. On several occasions in the past when you have seen Mr X with his daughter the issue of driving has been raised. You know that it is against Victorian Road laws to drive when the person's vision is impaired. This morning you have received a phone call from Mr X’s daughter who is very upset about a recent event her father related to her in which he was stopped by the police driving the wrong way on a highway. She asks your help do something to stop Mr X from driving “before he kills himself or someone else”. She mentioned that her father does not know that she is calling you, and asks that you do not tell him that she has done so, or else she might receive severe consequences.

This afternoon Mr X comes to see you for a routine check-up appointment. Please talk with him about his continual to drive a car.

Went and looked up what is meant by bipolar affective disorder. What I found:
Characteristics of bipolar affective disorders (Emedicine.com)
- periods of deep, prolonged, and profound depression that alternates with periods of an excessively elevated mood and / or irritable mood, known as mania (ie mood towards you can suddenly change, and you might not know the state which he is currently in)
- severe thought disturbances and may practise reckless behaviour with no regard for the consequences

6 more days people before I'm free from my misery.. Oh wait, crap.. results out on 30 November.. ARGH!!!!

Chosen Generation Dinner

haha.. just promoting the dinner involving all CGs of Hope Church..

Learning to say 'No'

Am happy coz the librarian reactivated my library account and cancelled the book on my account which i did not borrow.. yea, can borrow books already..

Just lately I noticed that I have a problem.. I can't say no to people (unless in certain situations like somebody asking me to go clubbing, or some place or do something i don't like).. I don't mind helping people.. eg I help friends back home (who are not doing medicine) with assignments where possible.. I don't mind helping to book tickets when I go out with friends for a movie.. I don't mind doing this and that (provided it's not asking too much) but sometimes I just felt that I am a little overenthusiastic.. I mean, like a 'I am willing to do this for you although I have my own problems but you are not willing to do that for me' type of situation..

Had a briefing on Community Partnerships Placement.. the coordinator gave a stern reminder on crossing professional boundaries.. i mean, while on your placement, what's wrong with taking a child with terminal illness to the beach to admire the scenery and sunset (assuming that he has never enjoyed himself like this before.. crap, i must be watching too many touchy-feely movies, getting too attached to people).. The coordinator said that last year there was a case where a problematic girl in a foster home got attached to a medical stduent on placement, and began to open up as she gained the student's trust. One day, she asked the student to drive her to a place and drop her off in front of a house. The student obliged. That girl in foster care was gang-raped and nearly murdered.

Hmm. same applies to my case as well.. what if that kid got lost or drowned in my company..

"This applies to all of you future doctors. Please do not try to think you are superman. You can't possibly help / heal everybody, otherwise you will be so exhausted and burnt out to function properly.." she said.

Hate that statement.. but need to snap back to reality and swallow the bitter reality of the situation.

Pre-exam blues

Congratulations.. I have this much of stuff to study before 1 November.. and you know what? On Saturday, I forgot to press the 'Finish' button on the screen of the library's auto check-out machine after borrowing a book, and some smart fella stole my identity to borrow an Engineering book. He did not return it before the due date yesterday. Thanks to that, I got fined and suspended from borrowing books (since my fines have reached AUD$25).. Worst case scenario might mean having to pay for the cost of that book. Just great..

Sometimes..

I suck at literature.. but i just want to ramble something off my mind..

Sometimes..
As we wander through an ocean of uncertainties, I just can't help but wonder..
Sometimes the things you want can be so near yet so far away out of reach..
Sometimes, you just feel rather disconnected from people around you, whom you would love to get closer to..
Sometimes you wonder what determines whether person A and person B click (become friends)..
Sometimes you wonder whether you know what in the world you are doing..
Sometimes you wonder why must certain things come to an end..
Sometimes you just feel that there is just something wrong with the way things are going..
Sometimes you just do not feel like wanting to care..
Sometimes you would like it better if someone does care..
Sometimes you wonder why do people change..
Sometimes you wonder whether it is you who has changed..
Are you the one standing on the outside in the middle of winter, admiring the atmosphere of warmth inside the house through the window..
Or are you the one refusing to open your doors to come out of your hiding.. afraid that people may discover skeletons in your closet..
Sometimes you wonder whether there is a lesson to be learnt..
Sometimes you just feel that you are thinking too much, and you need a break..
Sometimes..
Yeah, maybe I just do..

Preview: Shots from the Tulip Farm (more coming soon, probably after exams.. thanks Anto!)

Rants rants rants

I'm sick for 2 days already.. (diarrhoea, cold, headache and a bit of a fever).. I lack sleep..
I'm miserable coz got scolded by my dad yesterday for being indecisive over whether to take up the Sunway condo with a few friends when i go back..
I'm way behind in my studies.. (will post photo of amount of stuff to cover)
This is the umpteenth time i try to log in to my blog today, thanks to some problems with the computer's cookies..
And the last thing i needed was for a few more things that popped up today and made my blood boil..

still learning to let go.. still learning to forgive.. still learning to accept the fact that you don't need certain things to survive or make a difference.. God, help me..

Praying For Rain

Victoria (and most probably the whole of Australia) is suffering its worst drought in as many years thanks to global warming.. Water restrictions are imposed, dams are drying up, but most importantly, crops are failing.. millions of dollars worth of agriculture is hanging in the balance.. Farmers are being forced to make tough decisions: whether to sell off their land and move on.. For many, this is a challenge, as their livelihood and fate depends on whether it rains by today.. This should not be the way.. Not many clouds seem to be visible in the horizon.. but anyway pray for healing upon this land.. Pray for faith and perseverance.. Call out for it to pour down from the heavens today like it has never before..

CG Lesson: No More Excuses

Luke 12:47-48
"47That servant who knows his masters' will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

How do you define responsibility?
Dictionary's definition: involves personal accountability or ability to act without guidance or superior authority (ie able to make rational decisions without supervision)

"With great power, comes great responsibility."

- Peter Parker, Spiderman

What punishment do you think a person who falls asleep or forgot to do a job should receive?

The same applies with God. You know you are supposed to pray, do quiet time, fulfil your CG roster, read bible etc, but sometimes it does not get done.

Why is there a difference in the severity of the punishment between the 2 servants?

The first one receives heavier punishment because of his slack attitude (ie signs of rebellion), while the second one gets off with a slap on the wrist, so that he learns from his mistake.

Would the master sack the first servant? Probably not, because of grace.

Consider now your life, the responsibilities you have. Everyone should be responsible for 4 things:

1. Responsible for forgetting what is left behind, and pressing on towards the prize.

• You can't change the past, but you don't have to let the past rule the present. You can make a difference for the future.
• Sometimes we put the blame on various things (eg the way we were brought up in conservative cultures or dysfunctional families, guilt and past offences etc) but we should not use the past as a hindrance.
• Everything changes when you are changed in Christ (some people fail to understand that everything has been covered on the cross - ie redemption)
• Have we learnt to forgive ourselves and overcome past failures? If not, we suffer the consequences.

2. Responsible for today (Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.)

We need to do the best we can, realising that the choice we make today will influence what happens tomorrow.

eg There was a case of a church leader who admitted that the biggest mistake she made was marrying a non-Christian. They have been married for 20 years, and she is very active and passionate in church ministry, but why live a half-filled life and subject yourself to burnout, rather than have someone share and support what you do? Now her son wanted to move in with his girfriend ("It's a normal thing to do today. I want to take care of her." he said.) As a parent, how are you going to effectively teach your child about what is wrong, if you don't have the support of your partner?

3. Responsible for yourself (ie actions, words)

eg You know you have to study. You did not. You fail exams. (Action = consequence)

Each person is responsible for his own actions. Even if you have a poor shepherd / supervisor, it's your own responsibility to rely on God (ie do quiet time, read bible etc).

When you learn to recognise your own responsibility, there is no need for people to bug you.

(that is why the 2nd servant also gets punished although he pleaded ignorance)

Luke 6:45 - The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the good stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Importance of keeping hands clean, thoughts pure and guarding our hearts.

Psalm 24:4 - He who has clean hands and a pure heart who does not lift up his soul to an idol.

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

4. Responsible for what you fail in or refuse to do

James 4:17 - Anyone,then, who knows the good he oughts to do, but does not do it, sins.

John 12:48 - There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.

We are even responsible even when we know what we lack, but we let it carry on.

Eg. You know that you need to get things done. You know you have a poor memory and you might forget about it. You are lazy and did not take the effort to make things right / improve your memory (eg reminders in your handphone, mini notes on the fridge etc). Pleading ignorance does not help. In fact, this is worse than ignorance (can be classified as neglect and rebellion).

A lot of things will come along to make us compromise on our commitment to God. Although the world says it's ok, it's NOT. Imagine the analoogy of a fruit cake. A person notices that the sides are a bit unequal and decides to cut a bit of the unequal side off. Then he notices that the other side is uneven and does the same. Eventually the cake becomes so small that he decides to just consume the whole thing itself. The same applies to lying, when you get immune to it after a while.

Conclusion

I have been born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.

- Quote from 'Ever After'

Great gifts mean great responsibilites. Greater gifts mean even greater responsibilites. As one grows, more will be demanded.

Ultimately, all choices in life has its consequences.

There is a great commission to fulfil. There are no more excuses. When the day comes, we will all be held accountable.

CG Event - Mid Autumn Festival

It was mooncake festival yesterday (yay!!) CG 6b had a mooncake celebration. Basically a chance to invite friends and pre-believers for fellowship and sharing. We played some games, treasure hunt (Ivy's idea), a brief sharing by Ruth on the 'Lady on the moon' legend coupled with a lesson on grace and forgiveness.. Basically had a good time!

Lanterns are in the air (imported by Jason from Singapore)
(Left to right: Christy, Cheryl, Serene, Ting, Jason)
Dinner time (Chinese themed food) Chung Wei (far right) was trying to promote his hometown of Tawau.. well, at least we now know that Tawau has 3 escalators :p
Shots of the lanterns from a different angle
Trivia. Answer 3 questions correctly from those on the lantern and you will get a free lantern (to be returned for future use)
Going out to play lantern. Photos taken with and without flash.
Lantern with moon as backdrop, mooncake, box with more mooncakes