2008, A Recollection
Yes, it is that time of the year, as we verge on a brand new 2009, to recollect on the good and the bad of this past year 2008.
So with much thought, here are the top 10 events/people/places/... that have made my 2008: (in no particular order)
1) JHU General Surgery Electives
This deserves first place for rather obvious reasons. =P Those 4 weeks have got to be the most enjoyable period of my electives - the freedom to learn, to explore, to ask questions and experience hands on (without the cloud of an exam looming over my head) was simply priceless. Coupled with a beautiful campus and pro-teaching environment, it was simply a blessing.
2) USA Trip
My USA trip comes on a close 2nd behind this with 3 crazy weeks of a whirlwind tour of the East & West coast of USA. Most memorable moment: it's definitely gotta be missing my connecting flight from Baltimore to Los Angeles (and how surprisingly calm I managed to keep it all in together despite being alone in a foreign land).
But still, there were beautiful memories of the places and people met along the way!
3) Playhouse 2008 - Wild Wild West
Our swansong Playhouse as M5s.. This year's Playhouse was especially memorable for many reasons: we had a record turnout, where lots of people came down to help out - be it in props, actors, costumes, backstage... the support was tremendous! Also, we had very good competition in the form of the lower Ms, especially the M4s with their simply gorgeous detailed props like the MRI and x-ray machines, the artsy M3 plays.
And of course, doing what we did best amidst our SIP and clinical rotations - and spending time with friends!
Of cos, it is with a little pity that we bid Playhouse farewell.. Pity, partially cos it seems our "art" is going to be lost along with us - the "art" of improvising with bare minimal tools and materials: using cardboard boxes, masking tape, (even plaster of paris) to make also any structure under the sun; using bamboo poles and twine to make tall towers and pirate mast poles; or decorating almost everything with coloured paper and paint..
Was just talking to some of the other props pple, and seems that the younger years favour wood work, drilling and nailing, or even minimalist props. Of course, it is heartening that the M4s seem to have at least picked up on the use of cardboard boxes.. =P
4) Medical & Surgical SIP
Ah, Medicine and Surgery SIP in CGH and SGH respectively. I am eternally grateful to my HOs during this period for their guidance and teaching throughout the 8 weeks total! SIP was indeed a totally different ball game from your usual Medical student life. For the first time, I felt as if I was actually going to be able to graduate and function as a doctor in less than a year's time! (of course, I will need to work a lot harder for the next 3 months!!) But it was truly, an enjoyable and enriching time!
5) Changi General Hospital
Hee, CGH makes it up on the top10 list since I've spent so much time there this year! 4 weeks Medicine Re-posting + 4 weeks Medicine SIP + 6 weeks Medicine Revision posting = falling in love with CGH.. Hehe.. Despite all the stories that fly around, it is truly a lovely place, with a good teaching plan in place.. =) (kudos to the DO for acting on all the feedback!)
6) CMS Caroling 2008
Without much doubt, caroling makes its way into the top10 since its the last year I'm singing as a Medical student. Even know the number of sessions dropped to 2, it's always lovely to meet up with all the senior and junior years!
7) CMS Retreat 2008
I must say that this is the first retreat that I've gone to - and I totally loved it! The peace and silence and tranquility and solitude.. Felt totally rejuvenated after that, and closer in my relationship to God. Looking forward to future ones! =)
8) Pulau Semakau Intertidal Walk
Heh, Pulau Semakau clinches a spot in the Top10 this year by virute of the fact that i'm pretty much a nature-person. Yes, I leave you with some familiar photos from the wildlife of Pulau Semakau saying hi to you! =)
9) Neighbourhood Health Screening
Had a chance to attend 2 sessions of NHS earlier in the year, and both sessions were equally memorable, as had to send off a different patient to hospital during each session for rather serious conditions..
10) CG24 / CG26
and CGs cap the list of Top10s! The lovely people of CG24 - for being such an important part of my life from M3 to M4 over 1.5 years.. and the equally lovely people of my current CG26, without whom I'll be so totally lost in the wards! =)
So with much thought, here are the top 10 events/people/places/... that have made my 2008: (in no particular order)
1) JHU General Surgery Electives
This deserves first place for rather obvious reasons. =P Those 4 weeks have got to be the most enjoyable period of my electives - the freedom to learn, to explore, to ask questions and experience hands on (without the cloud of an exam looming over my head) was simply priceless. Coupled with a beautiful campus and pro-teaching environment, it was simply a blessing.
2) USA Trip
My USA trip comes on a close 2nd behind this with 3 crazy weeks of a whirlwind tour of the East & West coast of USA. Most memorable moment: it's definitely gotta be missing my connecting flight from Baltimore to Los Angeles (and how surprisingly calm I managed to keep it all in together despite being alone in a foreign land).
But still, there were beautiful memories of the places and people met along the way!
3) Playhouse 2008 - Wild Wild West
Our swansong Playhouse as M5s.. This year's Playhouse was especially memorable for many reasons: we had a record turnout, where lots of people came down to help out - be it in props, actors, costumes, backstage... the support was tremendous! Also, we had very good competition in the form of the lower Ms, especially the M4s with their simply gorgeous detailed props like the MRI and x-ray machines, the artsy M3 plays.
And of course, doing what we did best amidst our SIP and clinical rotations - and spending time with friends!
Of cos, it is with a little pity that we bid Playhouse farewell.. Pity, partially cos it seems our "art" is going to be lost along with us - the "art" of improvising with bare minimal tools and materials: using cardboard boxes, masking tape, (even plaster of paris) to make also any structure under the sun; using bamboo poles and twine to make tall towers and pirate mast poles; or decorating almost everything with coloured paper and paint..
Was just talking to some of the other props pple, and seems that the younger years favour wood work, drilling and nailing, or even minimalist props. Of course, it is heartening that the M4s seem to have at least picked up on the use of cardboard boxes.. =P
4) Medical & Surgical SIP
Ah, Medicine and Surgery SIP in CGH and SGH respectively. I am eternally grateful to my HOs during this period for their guidance and teaching throughout the 8 weeks total! SIP was indeed a totally different ball game from your usual Medical student life. For the first time, I felt as if I was actually going to be able to graduate and function as a doctor in less than a year's time! (of course, I will need to work a lot harder for the next 3 months!!) But it was truly, an enjoyable and enriching time!
5) Changi General Hospital
Hee, CGH makes it up on the top10 list since I've spent so much time there this year! 4 weeks Medicine Re-posting + 4 weeks Medicine SIP + 6 weeks Medicine Revision posting = falling in love with CGH.. Hehe.. Despite all the stories that fly around, it is truly a lovely place, with a good teaching plan in place.. =) (kudos to the DO for acting on all the feedback!)
6) CMS Caroling 2008
Without much doubt, caroling makes its way into the top10 since its the last year I'm singing as a Medical student. Even know the number of sessions dropped to 2, it's always lovely to meet up with all the senior and junior years!
7) CMS Retreat 2008
I must say that this is the first retreat that I've gone to - and I totally loved it! The peace and silence and tranquility and solitude.. Felt totally rejuvenated after that, and closer in my relationship to God. Looking forward to future ones! =)
8) Pulau Semakau Intertidal Walk
Heh, Pulau Semakau clinches a spot in the Top10 this year by virute of the fact that i'm pretty much a nature-person. Yes, I leave you with some familiar photos from the wildlife of Pulau Semakau saying hi to you! =)
9) Neighbourhood Health Screening
Had a chance to attend 2 sessions of NHS earlier in the year, and both sessions were equally memorable, as had to send off a different patient to hospital during each session for rather serious conditions..
10) CG24 / CG26
and CGs cap the list of Top10s! The lovely people of CG24 - for being such an important part of my life from M3 to M4 over 1.5 years.. and the equally lovely people of my current CG26, without whom I'll be so totally lost in the wards! =)
penned in the diary of memories by Alvin at
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