Chasing Dreams

My Beloved Sammy

Today while talking to my parents, they gave me the news I have been dreading to hear all week..My dog Sammy passed away...

He was initially diagnosed with having chronic renal insufficiency when I was back in December but this condition was something that can be managed. Unfortunately he had to be the few that deteriorated quickly and he has been sick for the past 2 weeks plus. He was even admitted for drips and all for flushing out the toxins. But his red blood cell just kept dropping and the only maintenance treatment for that was a blood transfusion which is not routinely done in Malaysia especially for big dogs. My dog is extra fat some more compared to other Labradors.

Everyday my parents keep giving me updates but his condition was just getting worse and worse. My fear was that he would have to be put to sleep which would have been very hard for everyone. He passed away with minimal suffering at home on his blankie.

I know I will miss him soo much but he will remain in my heart forever. He is my first dog and my memories of him will be cherished always. I love you my baby boy !!!

Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year and may this year bring lots of luck, joy and love for you all...

and also

Happy Valentine's day.. Hope love is all around for everyone!!

The real start!!!

OMG now I know I really have started Year 5 already......

I just had my first day of Specialty Surgery and I am starting off with 2 weeks of Ophthalmology followed by one week of Urology and another week of ORL (Ear, Nose and Throat). I feel it is a jam packed run because how are we supposed to learn anything in just one week. I am already overwhelmed by the amount of things we need to know in Ophthalmo.. Man this is going to be one crazeee year!!!!!

Ophthalmo is kinda interesting to some extent for me..The fact that I did not sleep despite having lack of sleep shows for sure..I don't mind the whole concept of it as the anatomy and pathology is confined to the eye only but once we have to do the examination using an ophthalmoscope or even worse the slit lamp...just kill me.... I don't understand how they can actually see so much from just that small hole in the ophthalmoscope.. I have to get the hang of it by this Friday as we have to draw each other's optic disc and vessels and stuff..The worse part..Can't even fake it because the examiners will double check it....*sweat*

Oh well..it is going to be an interesting 2 weeks I hope.. I have to get back to my silly GP assignment..I know I should have done finished it during the weekend but I did improve from last year as I typed something at least during the weekend...But long way to go still.....

One change i finally did over the weekend was the download Google Chrome as my browser instead of IE. I got so sick of IE as have the time the page won't load or the page cannot open. So annoying... I love Google Chrome now!! Yay!!! *thanks for telling me about it* :)

OO and sorry for the change in font size and colour..I realized the font was kinda small and the colour was too pale. I shall remember to standardize..

A day of cooking!!!!

Today was a day in the kitchen for me but I surprisingly enjoyed it. Before coming I learnt how to make this Indian desserts called 'payasam' from my grandfather. So today I thought will be a good day to try it out...

The end result was not too bad I guess but way thicker than the original. The process took like one hour and I just pulled my high stool in front of the stove and sat there stirring and stirring. The taste was there but it was just too thick. Better luck next time I guess. But I am glad I tried it out and my housemates liked it I hope!!!

It was a day filled with Indian cooking as dinner was Sambar or Dhal as it is commonly known. I made so much but luckily I have someone to eat it all !! ;)

I am actually starting to like cooking a bit more but I dunno if its just a phase. But I know its something I can't do day in and out. I should take advantage and cook more now I guess..Haha

The start of reality!!!!

The weekend is nearly gone and this week reality kicks in!!! I already started classes last week but since it was just lectures I could still zone out from time to time.. This week its back to hospitals. Well not quite yet as my first run is General Practice but its just as bad. One good thing is since we have quite a few other things on next week, I only have to go to the clinic for 5 days. Woohoo!!!

On Saturday, James. Mui How, Bee Ling, Kee Ping and me went to Sylvia Park. We just walked around and watched Avater 3d. Well for some of us it was a second time but this is one movie that was definitely worth to watch again. I must say the 3D version was really good. The movie was some how enhanced and brought to life by wearing those ugly looking glasses. And surprisingly the effects were just right. I was worried it might be too much and I'll end up having a headache later on. I loved the movie even more this time around. :)

Guess wat?? I went a bought a 1 TERA external hard drive. I finally came to the realisation I will never be able to back everything up with my current 250GB external. I first though I could just burn my shows into dvds but god knows how many I would need. This way I can just back everything up in my external and worry about sorting it out later which I just must must do!!!Mui How can now install Windows & for me and *fingers crossed*, its not soo laggy anymore.. Thanks Mui!!!

I am blogging from James's room while the boys are playing Dota at the table..Hahaha..I keep hearing..'I'll take care of it' and of course some not so sugar coated words when they are not winning..Haha..Boys and games and their gadgets!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mui How!!!!!!!
Hope you have a great year ahead and all the best for everything you do. May all your dreams and wishes come true.. :)
Have a great boring day at home kay :) Love ya..Mwah!!!!

Phone call from miles away!!!

OMG I am so so so happy I finally got to talk to Lingwei. A normal chat on msn some how turned into a phone call that lasted hours. short I would say considering we had so much to talk about...I have missed you so so much...Hope to talk again soon..Love you so much darling.. :)

From dreaming to reality :)

Thank you for making this trip special..Love you both.. :)

Auckland Auckland!!!

I am back in Auckland after a wonderful one month break that I had back home..Only complaint was it was way too short. I got to spend time with my family, relatives and friends but no matter how long it is it will never be enough..
Holidays was the same as usual with lots of eating, shopping ( I love MNG and thankfully its on sale whenever I go back :) ), and of course watching movies. I would have loved to watch more and am happy that I watched Avatar and 3 idiots the Hindi movie which was simply fantastic. I loved the movie to bits and couldn't stop laughing even after the movie..

I also didn't do many things I wanted to do like organize my laptop..Wasted time doing other things instead and now am suffering with an almost full laptop and external hard drive and a slow laptop..Must do something about it before classes begin or not I am surely going to suffer..Everything is every where..As much as I love clearing my room and the kitchen which I am obssessed about keeping neat..when it comes to my laptop..the last thing I want to do is arrange the files ..But i guess I should start soon if not it will just pile up..If only I can get some one to do it for me..*hint hint* :)

Classes have begun and its back to the usual routine..Get up, pack a miserable lunch ( only cause I am too lazy to cook a good lunch..so definitely my fault ) , try to listen and understand the lectures being given, come home, cook dinner, chat and off to bed.. It is kind of relaxed now but once runs start its going to be so hectic..not to mention this is my last academic year and my final exams are at the end of this year and we have a couple of the hardest runs..See whats in store for the year..can't blame me for not looking forward to this year aye!!! But anything is possible..I just have plan properly and take one step at a time and I believe it will be fine.. Never give up without even trying..

The weather here is very pleasant now..I think one of the best times but its too hot in the house..Outside is nice and windy but in the house its just hot and my bathroom is like a freaking sauna..Am actually thinking of getting a fan for my bathroom but come winter I know I will regret it and want a heater instead..Brr am not looking forward to winter..

I finally went to One Tree Hill that day..Its a big park with lots of walking trails and animals and a monument called the Obelisk on a small hill. I can see it from my window but had not been there before..silly rite.. I had some nuts from last year which I completely forgot about and it didn't taste too good when I ate it so instead if throwing it away I thought I shall feed the birds. I think their stomach would be able to handle the nuts even if its expired I hope..Well I will know if suddenly dead birds turn up in the park..Oopsie.. So James wanted to run there and Kee Ping agreed to but I knew I would never be able to run at their pace..and Mui How of course wanted the easy way also so both of us ended up driving there and fed the birds while waiting for James and Kee Ping.. Then we all drove up to the Obelisk. The view from there is quite nice. I just realised how populated Auckland is as every corner I turned, there were rows and rows of houses or some building or rather.. I must remember to take my camera the next time.. and maybe even try walking..hehe..

I should get off to bed if not its unlikely I will be up during lectures..haha..But feeling guitly as I just ate a whole bar of Kit Kat despite eating a proper dinner..Cant keep this going or I will come back as a ball in March.

Nitey nitess!!!

New Year Resolution perhaps??

Just barely 24 hours into the new year I had a very enlightening chatting session that made me think about alot of things...( Yes its all because of you!!! But thanks for everything) :)

When I look back at last year, I feel unhappy about the small things that kept affecting me. This year, I dont want all those to happen again and just hope to achieve better control of my situation. I hope to get a balance in everything hoping that it will be a good bright year ahead...I believe its possible..Yay!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

2010 is here!!!!!! Happy New Year to all.... :)

Hope this year bring lots of luck, happiness, love to all and may all your dreams and wishes come true.
And yesterday was also the first birthday of my blog. I know I have not been an avid blogger and neither shall I make resolutions that I cant keep so I decided i shall blog when I can and feel like.

2009 was a crazy here full of new experiences for me..some good and some not so good. I hope to learn from my mistakes and make this year a wonderful one.
I also would like to thank everyone who has been there for me last year and made it a bearable year. From family to friends, could not have done it without you guys..Thank you so much..

Happy New Year once again and hope this new year brings smiles and a new beginning with a new outlook to everyone!!! :)

Belated Deepavali!!!

I know I am one week late but I just got in the mood after receiving a package of goodies from home yesterday from my beloved parents..
Last week itself I had just gone to the temple and visited some relatives for lunch. I even tied a saree to the temple but some how it just did not feel the same without all the murukus and Indian sweets.
It so happened that some one from Malaysia was coming to Auckland on Tuesday and my parents sent a package containing all the food I love through them and what was even better was the kept it a surprise from me. They contacted James and asked him to pick up the things from the people who came over as I was in Hamilton. James just told me I had a surpirse waiting at home but I had no clue what it could be. At last when I came back on Friday.....boy was I excited..I was so happy...
Thank you ma and pa for sending this...
Thanks James for picking it up..

All the stuff from home and the package of sweets James bought from one of the Indian shops here...Yummy!!!!

(I am going to be so fat after eating all this)

Today, James, Keeping and I had walked to the back of the house and suddenly realised we have a pretty blooming rose plant..I picture of that..

Gone Holidays Gone!!!

My 2 weeks of holidays are gone!!!Just like that..Won't say it was totally unproductive. I did go to Christhchurch and then had to get all my car stuff sorted out. Also tried to get some studying done. Very little however.

Have to go down to Waikato tomorrow for my General Medicine posting.It feels like so long since I have been in the hospital. Actually only 4 weeks including campus learning week but I guess GP and anaesthetics kinda counts as non-hospital postings alos... This is going to be a full on hospital run with 6 LONG case histories. Definitely not looking forward to that.
And going to have to leave my cosy home and stay in a hostel all over again.
Anyway I am sure it will be a good experience..

I don't think I will be blogging much until after exams as there will be no internet in Waikato and then when I am back home should be busy studying.
It was a good week of blogging. Will be looking forward to after exams to blog more with pictures too!!!

xoxo..

Day with smiles!!!

Yay!!!Got my car fixed and renewed the registration already. Everything is settled hopefully with no more problems arising in the future. Of course had to cough out money which I hoped to use for other better things (for myself perhaps!!like shopping) but instead had use it for the car. Oh well..the car is part of me also so never mind I guess..I feel the car is somewhat lighter and turns better..I am sure its just me consoling myself..Haha

Went to the library to kill time while waiting and tried studying but was not too successful. I seem to be taking ages just to read one thing nowadays. I really want my momentum back...if not I am going to cram everything in the last minute and that will be so awful and tiring!!!!

Oh oh I have a new found sinful dessert that I absolutely love now..I bribe myself to study knowing the fact I can eat it later..Its grapes, kiwis and sometimes apples with custard. I simply love eating custard just like that but with the fruits oh its so yummy!!!

Maybe I will have some tonite..Hehe

Yet another day!!!

I seem to be blogging everyday now surpisingly as this is my break from studying..Hahaha

Today thankfully was a much better day than yesterday..Went hunting for place to fix my car and got a couple of quotes that were a bit more acceptable than the one I got in Honda yesterday. Picked the cheapest which was a place Bee Ling found for her car( thanks so much babe!!!owe you one) and decided to get everything done tomorrow. So tomorrow is going to be another day of getting up early again and sending my car and studying in the library while waiting..At least I will get some studying done I suppose instead of finding excuses to do everything else when I am home..Hopefully everything gets settled tomorrow.

I realised the more comforts you have in life the more you end up spending to keep up and maintain it..Like my car for example..But cant complain..It is so much easier having a car..I must be prepared to come out with the money to keep it in shape also..

Also managed to meet with Beth, another 4th year from here. We have been having a coffee sessions whenever time permits. She is a really nice girl and always so helpful. It was good meeting up with her. I have started to love coffee even more and now am in the phase of drinking caramel machiato.. :)

And OMG..the weather is absolutely awful now..It keeps raining every 20 minutes and it is so heavy like back home..Apparently the lightning and thunder is something new and does not happen much here in Auckland..And I thought I ran away from all that..
Where are those nice sunny days that Spring is supposed to have?
I hate the rain..it makes me feel so miserable...

Hope tomorrow is not this bad and I dont have more complains!!!!

An unexpected day!!!

Who would have thought this day would turn out so unexpectedly..
It was a nice sunny morning when I had to get out of bed to give my car for renewal of the registration and a service which was supposed to go without a hitch . I had planned on studying in the library while waiting for my car to be done. I thought I had it all nicely planned but instead...
Around mid day it started raining..just a few showers at first and then it started to get really heavy..Thank god Bee Ling, Kee Ping and James were nearby and they sent me to the service centre..
And then Honda tells me that I need to replace a few parts in my car for them to be able to reissue my registration and it cost a freaking bundle more than I expected.

Now tomorrow I need to go look for other car garages to get a cheaper quote and decide and fix everything by this week before my bloody registration expires and I go down to Waikato...........

Well its not that bad I suppose but I had my week so well planned out and this just ruins all my plans..

Hopefully everything gets settled fast and at a affordable rate..*Praying hard*

Is there a best time to study?

I am so good in finding excuses not to study now...
When its a sunny day all I want to do is stare out my window longing to be outside either in some garden laying on the grass or window shopping along Newmarket
When its a gloomy or rainy day all I want to do is snuggle up in my warm duvet and sleep...
So when is the time to study?
I guess soon enough I will start panicking about exams and forget about all these needs and just study....
Haiyhh..exam..exam..

On a happier note..went to the temple today after such a long time. Felt so contented after praying and also from all the good food I got. Another plus point to go to temple... :)

Rural Posting at Kaikohe

GP posting was an interesting experince. It was an eye opener to the setting of general practice in New Zealand which is so different from Malaysia.
After 2 weeks of urban Gp at Mt Roskill Medical Centre where James and I had a wonderful time thanks to all the doctors and staff there, we had to go about 4 hours north from Auckland to Kaikohe for our 2 weeks rural GP. It was really like some UK country side and we even stayed in a cottage on the farm.
I definitely gained lots by this rural posting in both thoery and clinical skills wise. The doctors and staff there were so friendly and encouraging that I got to try many new things. I even went to the Northland prison for half a day..but no nothing exciting happened there..Hahah thankfully i suppose.
Just some pictures....

The orange trees just outside the cottage

The small fireplace in the cottage

My room

So cute rite..It was a hot water bottle cover.

The living room of the cottage. The TV actually had Sky TV(cable TV) and we spent practically all our free time after coming back from the clinic just watching TV.. :)

Pig out session on Friday Night

Nachos at Kerikeri

James and me at the rugby match between Northland and Auckland. Decided to go for it as we were there in Kerikeri at that time and it was the highlight as this was the first game this year to be played there I think.

Just one picture from the rugby game. I did not really get the whole game but enjoyed the whole atmosphere. I still prefer soccer..

On the way to Paihia, Bay of Islands

Me at Paihia

The cows at the next door field. They always stare at us when we drive pass...

Our main Nurse Coordinator, Daryl. She was like an angel always helping us about.

Dr Robertson, the owner of the cottage we stayed at.

Dr Robinson, who was in charge of us.

The unique toilet at Kawa Kawa..

The entrance to the prison.

Trip to Piha Beach

Some time ago(I have forgotten the date), when Mui How came up to Auckland, we went to Piha Beach on a nice sunny day. The sun was strong but the wind was even stronger unfortunately so we had to layer up. It was a beautiful day nevertheless and we had so much fun together. One trip that I will always remember..

The best picture..We all had our unique way of jumping that some how portrayed us.

Us with some of the food we packed..We had lots of food..

The 3 boys..We all agreed that they look like they are some survivors in the desert.

Bee Ling and I...

Of course I rarely caught or hit the volley ball..

Advertising the ball as a new hand phone. Just one of the many fun silly games we played..

Piggy-backing and racing..This was the start when it was all good. Later I had to piggy-back Mui How back and I could barely manage 5 steps despite him being just a few kilos more than me...

Resting..James's shadow also in the picture.. :)

The view from one of the small rock hill we climbed.

The view from the other side of the rock hill..

All our names connected somehow..

Us girls doing what we love doing!!

View from one of the look out spot while driving back..

More Pics from Chrishchurch!!!

I am just in the mood to put up all the pictures I have all of a sudden. So the next few posts are mainly just going to be pictures with few words.

It to celebrate the new template also.. :) I hope this one does not go bonkers like the last template.

Mui How and me at Lotus Heart. Its a vegetarian restaurant at the heart of Christchurch city. It has a very Indian theme but all the workers are locals dressed in Saris.. Very nice ambience and food was good too.