Liverpool Dental Exhibition

Summer is finally here! What a great day to be out and about. I had a flatmates outing to the Dental Exhibition which was held at the Echo Arena this year.

Armed with a badge each, we went in empty handed and came out at least 2 big bags, each containing at least 5kg of freebies. Muahahaha.

Lunch at Wagamama:

All the restaurants at Liverpool One had opened all the doors and removed the front panel as the weather was so hot and sunny. We were just glad that there were seats indoors to rest after dragging all our things there. Need to refuel first before making the uphill journey back.

I loved the Chicken Tama Rice which I ordered. It was grilled chicken topped with gravy and served with sticky sushi rice. My flatmates had a variety of noodles which were not bad too.

Good luck to all preparing for the last dash to the finishing line. I myself need all the motivation that I can muster to finish off this essay before I can graduate. It's getting more difficult to find the passion and concentration that I used to have in the past. Haih....Somebody motivate me please!

P.s. if the CPR tutorial is too hot and distracting for you, I recommend that you revert back to the clinical skills handout to prepare for the BLS station at OSCEs. Hahahahaha.

Guys, this is the best way to learn CPR

Forget about all the mnemonics of DR SCAB PACED or worry about forgetting the steps to basic life support. Once you've watched this, you'll definitely pass the BLS station at OSCE and all set to go out and save lives.

Tutorial video was recommended by Dr Leo Khoo who is currently single, available and working at the A&E department of the Royal Liverpool Hospital as CT1. So, whoever is interested can pop into A&E which is open 24/7 and request for him. Hahahahaha.

First man made organism

For years, we have been dreaming of the day when we can synthesize life, sharing these extreme ideas in the form of fiction. This day has finally arrived, in the from of a bacteria which looked a bit like a pair of coloured contact lenses when placed side by side:

 Picture taken from BBC website

For a rough idea, the gene of this synthetic bacteria was coded on a computer before transferring it into a host cell. And yes, it is able to replicate. Sounds so much like writing a new software but in this case, we're writing the sequence to a new life.

No doubt, this will lead to the next thought of what if this technology falls into the wrong hands? Is it in the right hands in the first place? Imagine parents mix and matching features of their unborn child like how you customise a character in The Sims. 'I prefer a tone lighter for her skin colour and nose bridge a bit higher'. It'll be soon when everyone will start looking the same as most of us have been influenced by the same concept of beauty. Who wouldn't be affected from being bombarded with 'skinny is beautiful' every single time you switch on the television, flip open a magazine or even reading the newspapers?

What if I hate someone a lot? Can I just create a bacteria which infects only that person and give him/her tonsillitis as it is programmed to be attracted to his/her DNA and no one else? Maybe I'll give him/her the flu virus instead.

Scary but we're creating the impossible everyday. May the right people create it and remains in the hands of those who are willing to risk their lives to protect it. Remember Alfred Nobel? He invited the dynamite in order to make it easier for mining, but what happened in the end? It was all too powerful

Somehow, deep in my heart, I am still highly attracted to all these potentially dangerous possibilities since the first day I came across the concept of cloning.

Came across this singer while reading Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

I've finished The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, which I finally bought using the 5 pounds book voucher that our group won at the Palliative Care presentation last year. I almost forgot that I even had it. It's a really great book on how major change occur from just little interventions. His other books 'Outliers' and 'Blink' are really good too. Highly recommended. I'm halfway reading the both of them. Don't ask me why do I start on another book without finishing the one I'm on first cause that's how easily distracted I am.

As I was reading Blink, he mentioned this singer called Kenna whom had a difficult time debuting as music records did a quick feedback on his songs which resulted in a really low score. But his songs are not bad at all and finally, he's releasing his 3rd album sometime this year. I can't even place what genre his songs are, but if you like addictive beats, techno and meaningful lyrics, try playing the video here:



Ok....back to this essay.

Compilation of food related events

Let's begin with the Colloquium on the Prospects of Health Practitioners in Malaysia that I attended on a Saturday, two weeks ago. I just realised that I haven't been blogging in such a long time.

The Perak State Health Director gave a comprehensive talk on the health care system of Malaysia, working conditions of houseman back home, basic salaries and promotion opportunities. It ended with a Q&A session which I thought went on for too long and some answers were quite childish for example, when we asked about support available for doctors who face depression, the answer was 'Go talk to your boyfriend, family member or turn to God to seek guidance'. In other words, being depressed is not an options as there's no external support at all. The worst thing is, I can't believe that this was said by a doctor doing her PhD in Manchester. If you want more details about the talk, contact me.

We went to Rusholme street, the famous curry mile for dinner.

The portions were large. We shared the mixed grilled between the 3 of us and still struggled to finish it. I liked the curry mushroom. Stopped at Moonlight, a corner shop for ice-cream, cakes and desserts. I loved the chocolate cake there.

Red Hot Buffet:

The time for me to enjoy all the seafood I like which explains all the picture of calamaris, mussels and more mussels. I have to remind myself not to go for anymore buffet after this. Graduation is just round the corner.

Yee Rah:

The best dishes are still the Singaporean Stir Fried noodles and curries. I liked the papaya salad too.

Before I get too distracted, the main reason for this meal was to meet up with PG and SM whom I haven't met in ages!

To me, it didn't seem that long as time flies really quick when I'm busy. I wished I could say studying but I was busy with many other stuff like planning trips, going on trips etc. Hahahaha.

Dim Sum:

Standard Dim Sum at Mei Mei Restaurant. I had to order the Dong Fung Wo as it's not available in Malaysia. Apparently most Dim Sum in the UK are nicer than the ones back home but because I rarely eat out last time, so I cannot comment.

Hada's Birthday:

All prepared to surprise her.

Birthday girl!

There were two cakes, one strawberry cheese cake and another a giant biscuit from Millie Cookies.

Hada with all her presents

Happy 23rd birthday! May all your wishes come true.

Nandos:

I had the royalty card which I could claim half a chicken at that time, so, I ordered the Caesar Salad to go with it, which turned out to be really delicious. Don't be fooled by the salad as it had tons of cheese on it. Loved the dressing.

Bistro Pierre:

Met up with M and ME who came all the way from Singapore to visit after 2 years. That's a long time. It was nice to know that they are doing well with their internship and are going to start work as full fledged lawyers soon. The lunch menu was really worth every penny. I had prawn salad, pasta and creme brulee which were all so delicious. I'm definitely bringing my parents here for lunch.

That was a lot of food. Hope that you've enjoyed reading. I'm already starving blogging about it and I had..

 

Cantonese Stir fried noodles for brunch. What a good life.

Everybody, come chant with me

suffer first, enjoy later.
Suffer first, enjoy later.
Suffer First, enjoy later.
Suffer First, Enjoy later.
Suffer First, Enjoy Later.
SUFFER FIRST! ENJOY LATER!

The finishing line is almost there!!!!!!!*ROAR*

What happens in a stroke?

I know I'm supposed to be reading up on materials for my SAMP report on the acute management of stroke, but after a few lines, my brain just couldn't take it anymore. So I thought, why don't I try watching a video on teaching of strokes instead, and I found:



Sorry if I've distracted anyone revising for finals but hey, it's a TED presentation and now you can understand what a stroke patient goes through. I shall now put my left hemisphere to sleep.

Shakespeare's Birthday

I had to drag myself out of bed for this day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthday and also to celebrate his birthday. Well, he's supposed to be celebrating his 446th birthday anniversay.

We arrived just in time to catch the visitor's procession at Henley Street.

From Belly dancers, drums, scouts to gigantic fairies. The parade was really colourful and there were so many people. They will be walking towards the Holy Trinity Church where his grave lies and place flowers on it.

Trying to find a spot

Finally, they opened the roads after the end of the procession.

Street artist dressed as William Shakespeare.

The house where he was born and raised in.

Will I be more literature inclined after visiting his home? Hmmmm. We saw the bedroom where his mother gave birth to him, his father's glove workshop, the very living room where he spent his childhood playing. I liked the unique architecture of the buildings which looked like they've sprung out of story books.

Modern art

The one and only William Shakespeare.

This was the kitchen of his house. I was amazed by how real the duck on the table looked.

Not only was the house beautiful, the garden around it was in full bloom too.

Walking towards New Place

A bust of Shakespeare

The New Place was Shakespeare's last home before he died in 1616. The house was the second biggest building in Stratford at that time and was the only one made from bricks.

Hall's Croft - This house belonged to Shakespeare's eldest daughter, Susanna, where she stayed with her husband, who was a famous physician. He even published a few medical books.

Imagine having tea in the past wearing all that elegant long dresses and hats.

We were so lucky to be able to get this group photo with the actors and actresses.

Unexpectedly, they suddenly rushed into the garden reciting 'To be or not to be, that is the question.' I couldn't really understand the traditional English but enjoyed myself nevertheless.

Sunny day, beautiful gardens, good company. What more can I ask for?

Group picture thanks to A's tripod.

Picture outside Hall's Croft.

The Holy Trinity Church.

I didn't have time to go in and there was a queue and a fee of 50p to visit his grave. Photo taken from here.

Brass Rubbing Centre - you can start rubbing colours onto a piece of paper positioned on the patterned brass for a small fee. Reminded me so much of the sort of things I use to do at museums when I was younger.

River Avon

I think the swans look delicious to some.

Live performances

Does this remind you of Amsterdam?

This old chain ferry was so unique. Everyone will get on and the conductor will start turning the metal wheel on the side and the whole boat will move. Interesting.

Relaxing in the gardens

Metal waterfall of swans

A beautiful poster of performers

Statues of prominent characters from play and William Shakespeare himself.

Finally, this is the end of my reflection week. I was really tired by the end of it and was happy to start my hibernation. I hope that you've enjoyed reading my entries. Take care and good luck to all that are preparing for exams.

Next up: Food, food and more food. Hahahaha.