I just watched Slumdog Millionaire for the second time with my girlfriends.
And I'm going mmmmm......
I just want to be cuddled in bed with a pair of warm arms. Listening to one of the movie's soundtracks; Latika's Theme.
"Stop going into the romantic mood, Sueyi" Trina exclaims in the background with that song on repeat ;) I can't help it.
I saw Scott today on the way back home from work.
"Scott Livingstone!" He's a 2nd year Surgery resident who is so chill-ax, has the couldn't-care-less type attitude but has such a strong passion for cutting people open, sticking things in and sawing people's breast bones open. *gross!* ;)
"Hey- aren't you supposed to be in NYC, like forever?" he asked.
Then he teased me 'With all your Vietnamese boys' :p
I laughed. 'Heck, not just Vietnamese. There's Chinese, Greek, Korean......' I added.
Then I jokingly asked him 'So, when are the wedding bells ringing for you?' :p cheekily.
He laughed hard "Not there yet"
"Why not?"
"Just because. *heh* Just. because."
I chuckled. I then told him about my 21st in NYC and not needing to borrow people's IDs anymore. He asked curiously, 'How in the world are you able to borrow people's IDs?'
"Well, most white people think we Chinese look the same" ;)
"But you're Vietnamese?" I was confused at first. Then I got it. He thought I was Vietnamese...
lol. Then I told him I'm Malaysian Chinese. He said 'But you don't look Chinese.' I gave him a blank stare. He said 'Chinese faces are round!'
I smacked him-hard. 'Hey!'
'What?!'
I squished my cheeks tight cos I thought he meant my cheeks were round! Then he laughed and corrected me. 'No, no. I meant Chinese faces are round. Yours is not. That's why I said you don't look Chinese!' Oohh... =) Hahahaha he saved himself from this one, I suppose ;)
I told him about my Greek date and how he asked how many children I wanted and was semi-ready to settle down.
Scott laughed 'Maybe he just wanted to plant his seeds and move on.'
Another smack! :p *argh-damn cheeky la this one*
If it's one thing I LOVE about Halifax it's bumping into people on the streets of this small town that I know from the hospital. People who I used to work with and had fun with. My 20 minute walk home was today's dose of cheeky entertainment from an old friend.
her STORY, her ALIBIS 12:11 PM;;
Friday, January 16, 2009
Awww...
"Thank you. I'm sorry everyone; I have to leave now... because I belong to a nursing home.And I have to be back by 5 for dinner!"
and everyone laughed! This was an 80-ish year ol' cute grandpa who came for the chronic kidney disease wellness teaching session this afternoon who had to leave during lunch time.
I bumped into Siraj today- it was so good meeting up with him. Siraj is like my dearest big big brother who looks out for me and reminds me to always stay focused. Neurosurgeon doctor - he's lost so much weight, I think he's half his size now -.-' We had so much to catch up on; I miss him. He was my very first resident and he was my teacher, my mentor, my friend- who was always so disciplined, so determined and so humble & modest. He pushes me in a way, and he gives me a good kick in the butt (not literally ;p) each time I'm complacent. Well, I tell him to, anyway, so that I don't ever forget what I'm here for. He called me a 'smartie pants' .. for my USMLEs... and then, teased me. And I think- he IS the brilliant one. He's someone I look up to, and someone whom I always turn to for guidance and for super honest pull-me-back-down-to-earth-when-necessary-kind of advice.
He really believes in me; 'You're going to be so good in what you do, I know it. You are going to do so well'. I really am appreciative - for his high expectations of me and his confidence in me; it really inspires me to really go out there and make him proud. Though of course, this is all for my own fulfilment and satisfaction :) Dinner with him next week! ;)
Oh! And I met Ada today for coffee after work. It was so so nice seeing her again! We had so much to catch up on. She's going to New Zealand for an I know he means it and I feel touched and thankful. And for that, I reanesthesiology elective-what fun! We were chatting for more than an hour in Uncommon Grounds and it was -22C outside; I was so glad she drove me home. *phew* or my fingers would have fallen off together with my ears! Tonight it's going to hit -35 to -40C :('
This is what I saw on a note pasted in the nurses' room :)
You know you're a nurse when:- 1. You have seen more penises than any prostitute. 2. Your finger has gone places you never thought possible. 3. You check the caller ID on your day off to see if any one from the hospital is trying to call and ask you to work. 4. You've been telling stories in a restaurant and made someone at the other table throw up. 5. You know the smell of different diarrhea to identify it. 6. You find yourself checking out other customer's veins in grocery store waiting lines!
:) *so cute*
her STORY, her ALIBIS 9:22 AM;;
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Patients I've had so far:-
1. A 20 year old boy with one kidney who is O.b.e.s.e. with a BMI of 39. He was advised to lose 100 pounds within this year.
2. A 84 year old lady who had recently experienced deaths of four closed ones and who was obviously clinically depressed but had issues with insurance and finances, which made her unable to afford to see the psychologist she was referred to. Money issues are always present, aren't they? It's so sad, when money is the barrier to seeking help and getting better. Half my clinic consultation with her was regarding her emotions and trying to focus the interview onto her kidney symptoms yet trying my best to also listen to her pour out her troubles and see if there's anything we can do to help her. Clinics are usually really busy and it's very understandable when there's a time constraint for each patient. In the end, all I could do after discussing this with my attending staff doctor was to recommend in the letter to her family doctor to arrange for a social worker's assistance. Sometimes it's so sad to see how doctors have no choice but to really refer them to someone else. We are after all, a specialist's clinic. If we dealt with every social issue our patients have, then we'd be compromising on seeing as many patients as we can... with our long wait list already a problem!
3. A 24 year old woman referred to us for chronic fatigue since she was 16. She has been examined by numerous specialists and thrown different diagnoses ie lupus, leukemia, sarcoidosis, Kline-Levine syndrome, depression etc... with no final diagnosis. We couldn't find anything wrong from the renal standpoint and will follow up with her in a year's time.
Lots lots more interesting cases.Goodpasture's syndrome. IgA nephropathy. Multiple Myeloma.Membranous Glomerulonephritis causing a guy to have swollen balls to put it crudely (scrotal edema jargon-wise :p cannot laugh la; that's just plain evil!) I'm learning so much everyday and loving it so very much.
Dr Hirsch bumped into me today during lunch period and so graciously asked 'Are you doing alright?' =)
Dr Panek was pretty impressed with me...;) He asked if I was going to be at clinic tomorrow. I think I did a pretty good job working up his patients. This is thanks to the experience I got during my Nephrology elective in Cornell in New York :) It all pays off :) I must must write to Dr. Muthu.
I had two dinners tonight. Max's curry chicken was pretty irresistible the moment I came home. *argh* ;)
Then, I met up with Diane and we had Sushi. It was so good to catch up with her- after three months! We stayed til the restaurant almost closed *heheh* I think we sat there for about 3.5 hours in total! Must remember to wish the CARMS people all the best for their match result on March 9.
Harprit called me up today, asking me for medical advice ;) regarding Hanbit's symptoms. It was funny cos' I asked him about her symptoms and most of them he couldn't answer because she hadn't told him; 'I don't know doctor, I'm not a doctor you know!' ;) hahahaha... anyway, gave my professional opinion on how to manage it ;)
I'm glad to be of help... but I don't know why my close friends always feel shy/hesitant/strange asking me medical questions. I don't mind it at all one bit!
=) On a random note, I'm so broke. Instead of going out for meals, all my catch-ups are over coffee now *heheh* ;)
her STORY, her ALIBIS 1:04 PM;;
*aiyor* I'm so kiddy-like ;) This is me when I'm most comfy :) you can hear all my Malaysian accent too! with broken English :p
Max's face is stoned ;)
Harprit says 'Man, I look retarded. Please tell the people this man is not retarded!' LoL! ;) He's the smartest guy I know when it comes to hacking programs and handling computers- he's a computer whiz. Cannot mess with him; he's a military man :p square pecs and big biceps..lol.
Trina;Max's sister! the shy sweetie :) Who whips up a mean dinner each and every time. And always complaining how she's never productive -.-' ;)
My chill-out gang. Who has taught me Bangra music. Indian movies. Fattened me up. Who rode a bike with me on pillion (that was the scariest ride ever- especially since it was uphill by the lake and I don't ride bikes since I DONT KNOW HOW!! ;)). Taken me out for a few hours when I was on call for a picnic by the Point Pleasant Park. Introduced me to donair-flavoured pizza. Feeding me ;P LoL(this one must emphasise la... this morning, Max woke up early to make us chicken sandwich and blended carrot & orange juice!!) =). The gang who teaches me things out of this world that I would have never gotten exposed to.
Bright, lovable, kooky and downright crazy gang. Thank U! :)
her STORY, her ALIBIS 11:33 AM;;
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"You're doing a great job, hun" Dr Hirsch tapped me on my shoulder. He came down after lunch and spoke to me 'Your letters were amazing.' and then, he said he's got some papers for me. LoL. 3 hours later, he comes down with a file of newly printed research articles. This morning, I arranged to meet with Boon at 7.50am before Grand Rounds since I had to be in the HI anyway. Then, I bumped into Dr Hirsch slopping wet with my enormous snow boots- and he saw me ( I must have looked really cham la...lol ;) ) and then, he said he'd drive me later on back to the other hospital! ;) We had a nice chat in the car, turns out he's Harvard and Yale educated! I'm so glad to have gotten the opportunity to work with him the past 2 days. After today's nephrology cases in the afternoon, I seriously think I might just be cut out for this kidney business! I told Max I'm so happy I finally figured out what I want to specialise in... :) Max and I grabbed our laundry and walked 5 blocks away to the laundromat. Good exercise. *hehe* Came back to fettucine pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce ;) mmmmmm........ Max adds 'Cooked with lots of love' LOL ;P ; the housewife talking ;) Trina and I are both enjoying the benefits of having a housewife at home who cooks bloody darn well ;) Of course, I strongly feel he can add less salt and less 'unhealthy stuff' but it sure tastes and smells (from outside the door even!) pretty good :)
Mum thanked him on Skype last night -.-' He told mum she's way prettier than I am. What a sweet talker. -.-' LoL. But I agree though :) *little monster that one!* I will be meeting up with dear Diane tomorrow! Coffee date with Ada. Saturday coffee with Hugo. Harborfront walk on Friday night with the gang =) I finally decided on where I want to match first- for residency. The other Max told me to go with my heart, since I have already decided. I asked him 'How'd you know I already decided?' I guess long ago, I already had sung praises about that place... But I just needed to reassure myself and really make sure this will be the right place for me. *hehe* I even googled and researched on sites 'chicago vs boston' and printed out at least 20 pages on people's opinions! -.-' I know la........... ;) This will be where I'll live my life and work for the next 3-5 years. It'll be a new exciting phase of life. A fresh new beginning in a new place. New friendships to be formed with new alliances.
Newfound responsibilities; starting out on my own - as a young, working adult :)
Yeah man- living in my own apartment ;P
her STORY, her ALIBIS 11:23 AM;;
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I think I'm going to be a kidney specialist.
*love love love*
Medically, it's called a NePHROLOGIST.
I do nephrology... Mmmmm... that rings well, doesn't it? ;)
I always tell people when they ask what's internal medicine?
I rattle off and say 'Cardiology, Neurology, Rheumatology, Nephrology.... aiyar.All the -O(r)gyyy la!'
and then, they laugh... OK - maybe, it's a little lame -.- :p
her STORY, her ALIBIS 10:06 AM;;
LoL.
Thanks Mummy.
I'll see you all very very very soon =)
I can't wait to surprise daddy *hehe*
This trying to eat healthily isn't working here in Halifax at all, as I expected it should...Max is now a house-wife - which means he's constantly cooking every meal for us! He knows vehemently how much I want to lose the extra weight, yet, totally ignores my efforts to resist every kind of food temptation there is- and whips up his culinary skills into action ... -.-
This morning, I woke up to him mixing up hard-boiled eggs, with chopped up red peppers and onions with relish and mayonnaise... and then, I had YUMMY toasted sandwich for breakfast -.-'
and I came back tonight to beef parmesan pasta! *ugh* I'm so full la.
First day at work was amazing! I loved every moment of it.
Sherry, the secretary for the nephrologists told me at the end of today, that Dr Hirsch spoke to my evaluator about me just then and said 'This girl has got it rolling' and I replied with a big smile =) and she said 'That's something, especially when it's coming from him; because he's just brilliant!'
I smiled even more and thanked her 'You made my day Sherry!'
And to think, I worried a bit this morning about losing touch with some of my clinical skills! I guess, it all comes back naturally... I had so much fun with all my patients today. And Dr Hirsch and Dr Finkle are absolutely wonderful teachers!
Dr Hirsch wants me to assist him tomorrow morning in his clinic!
I stayed up in the library a bit after work- now I really have to be on par with his expectations la ;) !! He took me into the library and chose this giganto big Nephrology book for me and then, later on passed me this thick pile of research papers...
I have a strong feeling I'm going to love my 3 weeks here in clinic! OH- and I've got a kidney transplant arranged for next week too! One whole day in the Operating Room! What fun!
her STORY, her ALIBIS 7:18 AM;;
Monday, January 12, 2009
The three boys just left.
Man; they're a LOUD cheeky bunch!
First day I arrived, I told the taxi driver to drop me off the apartment opposite where they live...
-.- Max came down and was obviously confused; asked me 'Why are you moving your baggages into here?'
'Well, you live here right!!'
He (obviously it hit him; how horrible my sense of direction was) laughed- and POINTED to the opposite side of the road; 'that's where we live LA..!' -.-'
Now I know why the gang was laughing when I was konked out on the bed the night I arrived! ;P
It was snowing so heavily today - Trina and I stayed in the entire day. How miserable.The snow was gorgeous, but we couldn't go out... there was a snow storm warning issued.
Mmm... hot chocolate, good music and watching the snow fall. We did it for awhile... and enjoyed the moment. Then, Trina made the whole room smell of curry- mmm....delish! ;)
I realised this morning, that for the past 2 mornings, I find an extra blanket over myself after Max leaves for work... So sweet la! I guess that's cos he sees me curled up like a little ball *hehe* :)
I'm excited! It's back to work tomorrow. I should be kept busy then ;)
her STORY, her ALIBIS 11:31 AM;;
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her STORY, her ALIBIS 1:33 AM;;
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I didn't sleep the night before I left.
Poor Hau Jia only slept 2 hours :p
We changed Max's bedsheet and that was his birthday present! What a cute surprise for him!
Then, HJ and I watched Serendipity til 4.30am... and then, he went to bed whilst I went to pack! Didn't get an iota of sleep.
Max got off to work and I think I got a bit teary-eyed, for some reason, I just felt that tinge- I guess staying in one place for too long, you do get a bit attached. 3 months is quite a long time and I still cannot believe how quickly that went by. But, I'll say it again and again- what a wonderful 3 months in the US! =)
Then, HJ was rushing cos we were going to do breakfast but he was running the risk of running in late to work. So as usual la, showered soo long :p , then we cabbed it to a place around his company- and had yummy Croissants with ham and eggs! =) Dozed off a bit at his company's comfy lounge area- and I woke up with a minor baby panic BECAUSE I hadn't finished packing yet! and HJ was really busy at work. Finally, we said goodbye & I thanked him for the millionth time! ;) and left- back to Sty town for one more time to pack and grab my luggages.
Peter was nice enough to carry my bags onto the side street. Onto the airport and I konked out immediately in the boarding area for an hour.
I'm so glad I arrived in Hali with friends there- or else I'd have felt homesick - for another reason why I couldn't really understand- because even leaving Malaysia for Canada; I never felt homesick. I'm pretty used to travelling so often and not feeling any pangs of homesickness. But NYC and Halifax couldn't differ any further! Big bustling lively vibrant city and clean, cold, snowy more laidback and peaceful Halifax. Big change though... but I guess that's why I felt different when I touched down. Not homesick; just funny and weird. I guess it's also the realisation that I'm going to have to work soon *hehe* so that's likely why! ;)
Max arrived when I reached his apartment. Thank goodness for my wonderful, cohesive friends here! I konked out on the bed soon after (IT WAS FREEZING despite the 2 heaters being switched on!) and next thing I knew, close to midnight, I heard a lot of cheeky, laughing voices in the background- and the whole gang was here! I was happily sleeping on the bed with two layers of comforters; when I awoke... Then, a face popped above me and someone hugged me. Then, I had ice-cream and BBQ chips for dinner -.-' *hahahaha*
I love love love my friends.
To all of you: my mum says thank you very very much! =)
