Futsal in H2O - 20 Dec '08

Futsal in water? Yes, literally. No special ball. No special rules. Just a special "court" to keep the water in at about ankle deep (like the pool you might have as a child). It was apparently 1st ever water futsal in Malaysia. And because I'm not advertising for any of the sponsors, I shall go straight to the event as such.

We arrived in Sunway Pyramid at about 10.15am. 15 min late according to the alloted time, but few hours early for the event to actually kick start at 1.30pm!

Anyway, lunch was provided so no complaints there.

After registration and lots were drawn, each team was given 10 min to get used to the "pool".

In the mean time, a purple 4X4 Kia with a noticeable logo of Hitz.fm were parked not far from the pool, drawing attentions to themselves with free gifts and games. This is NOT, I repeat, NOT something I would ever be interested in as I find it to be a high degree of lameness. But I believe I need to experience it for myself once, to have a definitive and valid opinion. We had alot of time to waste before the games start anyways, so I went near to see what the fuss is all about.

They were giving away alot of "goodies" but the only thing that caught my attention was the RM100 voucher from Jusco. Who doesn't love free cash to exchange for goods? So I answered a question (incompletely) and thanks to one of the cruisers (I don't know his name), I was in the line up for the RM100.

The game was basically a modified version of musical chair. One of the cruisers, who called herself Lady D (i think), was blind folded and holding a water gun, stood in the centre, while 12 of us stood around her in a circle, wearing black garbage-bag-turned-upside-down-remake of a poncho. The idea is after we stop circulating around her at the end of the music, whomever she shot with the watergun first will be eliminated.

Unfortunately, I was sprayed at the 7th round. *sob* sob*

So, the overall verdict of my preconceived notion that they are of high degree of lameness: Still lame. AND downright degrading to humans too! Why? Because at the end of the so-called musical watergun, they were tossing leftover cheap Cadbury chocolates to the crowd. And the worst part was they expected people to jump and catch them!

In the background, the game was about to start. M's team, the Estate Ranger (since their secondary school years), was the 3rd match in line.

Their 1st game was a breeze and had more fun than the 2nd, which was more aggressive. They won 4-1 for the 1st game, and lost at penalty for the 2nd game. What a waste! Losing at penalty is probably the worst, especially for those blame themselves for being the cause of it.

We left shortly after that for Domino's Pizza...

The pool....

The player...

And the strategy...

My classical "OMG. What did I get myself into?" look.

And then there were 4.

Loser face.

Gearing up. Don't the helmets make them look like construction workers?

Arrgghh....

Round 2

Dangerous sport... Boo hoo.

Game: interrupted

Off to Domino's...

Introducing... ME. My story so far. ( Pt. 1 )

I'm a medical student. unlike most students, however, i wish to continue being a student a bit longer. but alas, i'm starting my final year in a week's time!! which means that, in about 365 days i must have all the knowledge at my fingertips and master all the skills that i would absolutely need..... not to kill someone!!

It's probably not as bad as i made it sound. but in many ways, this one year is going to be even more crucial than all the last 4 years add up. it will determine how competent i am going to be as a doctor; how much can i be trusted to manage the life of another human being under minimal supervision - safely, efficiently in the least amount of time, and as economical as possible for both patients and the government.

So this is just a scrape of my life at present. and what may lie ahead for me.

Currently, i'm having a break after completing my elective at SGH for a month. and the experience? indescribable. in a good way, of course.

I was posted to colorectal surgery for the initial 2 weeks, followed by another 2 weeks of internal medicine.

What can i say? the surgeons were superb! along with their state of the art equipments, they are probably the most experienced colorectal surgeons in this region, and yet they are as modest as the next person can be. they spoke to me (or any other students, for that matter) like an equal(!) and with respect, something which is quite rare in my country.

another wonderful thing about this department, that i can't help but notice is how close the surgeons are within their teams. but of course it was hard NOT to notice it, because on my very first day, our team, which consist of 4 surgeons, 1 MO, 1 HO, 1 intern and myself, went out to chinatown for lunch, treated by one of the surgeons! i was the only girl there, btw. which made me realise that surgery is still very much a guy's thing. but that's another issue, another time. anyway, what made it even more memorable was that it was my first time sitting in a brand new (1-month-old) BMW 5-series! comfort- got a whole new meaning that day...

of course those were just small parts of the whole experience.

the learning part was endless. never once did i not find colorectal surgery interesting. so do i want to specialise in it? well, that's a different issue, a different time.

anyway, after 2 weeks of continuous fun and learning, (even though i have to wake up at 5.30am every monrning, including saturdays! and my sleeping time was getting earlier and earlier. towards the end i was sleeping by 9pm!), it was time to bid farewell to the surgeons, and greet the physicians.

only after one day, i regretted applying to switch to a different department! of course my supervisor and the team were nice and all but the department itself was rather dull and tedious... now don't get me wrong, i don't mean, "medicine" is boring, neither are the patients. it's just the things they do everyday, is boring. i need to do something with my hands and see fast results (which is why, i would most probably go into surgery).

so after a few days, my enthusiasm plunged. everyday i carry some hope with me to the hospital to make the most out of the rest of my posting.. (i'm exaggerating!)

overall, it was a very fulfilling experience in every aspects. it is without a doubt a good hospital, not only for patients, but also for learning opportunities. SGH is definitely one of the hospitals i would consider working in, in the future.

Thanks SGH for this invaluable experience!

Greetings!!

so here i am. my blog. my 1st entry. even after repeatedly convincing myself that having a blog is going to waste alot of my time, but i did it anyways.


why?


well, firstly, because of sis' undying "encouragement" (she's even vowed to be my #1 reader and eagerly waiting for my url!).


second of all, this will give me the opportunity to start writing again. i used to love reading and writing. now, the only thing i have time to read are my textbooks, and when i do write, it's for my exams!


as long as i keep this blog alive, i believe it will be an interesting part of my life.


welcome and thank you for being a part of it.