Body Attack & Balance....Totally Hammered....

I attended 2 fitness classes yesterday. It was a launching day at my local sports centre. Therefore, all the routine in the classes are new. I have always wanted to join one of the fitness classes, but never got myself to do it, because I couldn't get a partner to go along with me. However, I decided that I needed a change from my usual treadmill/cross runner in the gym.

So, my first class - Body Attack. Before the class, I kept wondering what would I be doing in the class. Is it boxing? Is it lifting weights? Is it aerobics? The fitness instructor was a fit and well toned lady. We started off with a tiny jog on the spot, which soon, picked up to lots of jumping, kicking, squats, etc...basically it was high-impact aerobics. I was working every inch of my body.... The music was excellent, fast and catchy. But after 30 minutes of it, I really felt tired. I couldn't really keep up with the pace (despite running on the treadmill for 3 miles at least twice a week!) My cardiovascular system failed me! How disappointing. Then, we started to do push-ups for about 10 minutes...my arms felt like they were going to break halfway through it, and again, I had to slow down. I could literally feel a piercing pain sensation in my arm muscles.

The whole class lasted for a good hour...and by the end of it, I was knackered. My body was hammered by myself! Sweat was pouring out from all my sweat pores. But it felt good. I felt like I really worked my body to the limit. Guess, the name body attack explains it all - Attacking your own body with high impact exercises.

Then, about 10 minutes later, the next class, Body Balance, started. Now this class is all about balance and stretching. It's a mixture of Tai Chi, yoga and pilates. I was quite glad that I attended this class after that muscle tearing experience earlier on. So I was stretching my muscles to relaxation...and at the end of the class, we laid down on the mat in a totally relaxed mood for about 5 minutes....Boy, that felt good! The music that accompanied the class was nicely chosen...very relaxing and nice.

After 2 hours worth of exercise, I was starving. Luckily it was near to dinner time and I met up with my ex-colleagues for dinner at Cafe Andaluz. The Spanish tapas was excellent. After dinner, it was a drinking feast until 3 am! It started off with 2 pitchers of sangria at the tapas bar, followed by, about 3 drinks in another bar...and lastly, we finished off at a bar in town, where we all had a shooter each and another drink! Boy, I was hammered! I felt really sick by the end of the whole night. I just wanted to go home and sleep....which was what we all did.

By the time I got home, it was 3.30 am...I pushed myself to take off my contact lens and changed into my PJs. Oh...and I also made sure I brushed my teeth...because sometimes I really can't be bothered to do that if I'm really really sleepy. =)

This morning, I got up 6 hours later...feeling refreshed and hungry, but with a terrible muscle ache all over.

Bad Bad Traffic....

This traffic is doing my head in. On the way to work this am, I was stuck in traffic for about 1 hour. I left work today at 4pm, happily thinking that it is way ahead of the rush hour of 5 pm and I would be able to escape the evening traffic.

Yeah Right!

I got home about 6.15 pm. That was like 2 hours and 15 minutes in the BLOODY TRAFFIC!!!!

The M8 was stuck....so stuck. uurrghh... for what reason? I do not know.

In that 2 hours, I managed to read a thin magazine and listen to a full CD! I could also see the traffic getting the better of me. I started to curse at any car that disrupted my journey...hehehe.

You know, I did wonder why does this traffic bother me so much. I was born and bred in KL...traffic there was never good. Traffic jam is a culture in KL...I remember getting stuck on the Kesas highway from Sunway to my home for probably 2 hours too...I should be used to this. But surprise, surprise...I was rather frustrated.

By the time I got home, my foot was aching, and I decided to give up my original plan of cooking dinner. Instead, I went to the shop, bought a huge cheeeesssyy bun and gobbled it down, with a cup of tea.

Urggh....can't cope with this traffic! TGIF, tomorrow! Really can't be bothered with this!

This Traffic!!

Had the joys of driving to work on Monday. Road was empty as expected....which of course is good, ie, no traffic stress.

Then, the horror started on Tuesday! Oh my goodness! The traffic was extremely heavy, despite me leaving about 5 minutes earlier than normal. By the time I got onto the M8, it was 8.15 am. Normally, I would enter the M8 just about 8 am. The traffic on the M8 wasn't too bad, however, the moment I drove into the junction leading toward my workplace, the traffic was in a standstill. There were diversions that just started on that day...but you know, I did not expect it to be THAT bad. Anyway, I was inching 1 cm every 1 minute. The sun was so bright and it was shining right into my eyes, because, firstly, I am short (so I can't shield my eyes away by using that flap thing on the roof), and secondly, I forgot to bring my sunglasses from home. So I could not even visualise the road properly and I could my road rage building up!!

To add to the stress, I had to do a presentation that morning. And I was still stuck in the bloody traffic at 9 am. My presentation was to begin about 15 mins past 9 am. Urgghh!! Eventually, after loads of cursing and singing (yes..thank god for the "Nineties" CD that I bought a few weeks ago...had my fav songs like Bfast at Tiffany's etc...), I arrived at work 9.25 am!

*phew

I wasn't the only one late...lots of others were later than me. Luckily, the consultant that was waiting for the presentation was cool that we were late.

Anyway, here I go again to brave the traffic. Yesterday's traffic was just a tiny bit better, but that's also because I left early...like REALLY early. So me leaving now again...this traffic is killing me slowly...and the diversion is for a good 8 days!! urrggh!!

Weekend Comes, Weekend Goes

While most Brits get a long weekend because of the September Weekend, my weekend was just the usual, started Friday evening and ended Sunday night. Most people here would get Monday off, but if you're a teacher, you'll get Thursday and Friday off too.

I drove to work as usual on Friday, and was VERY surprised to find the road extremely empty. I mean, I did expect the traffic to be less busy, but the motorway was DEAD! So despite leaving my home 10 minutes later than normal, I arrived at work by 8.30 am. Too early.

Anyway, this weekend I turned into a chef, cleaner and holiday booker.

1. Chef
I was dreaming of the wan ton soup back home.... could still remember the tasty wanton soup that I drank accompanied by a big plate of wan tan mee....yum yum. So, I came up with a master plan...marinated my mince pork and wrapped them up with ready made wantan pastries. I took these wan tans over to my friends' place and made the soup there. The soup wasn't sweet enough, but guess it was ok....or rather, edible! Hands up that I'm not a chef.

2. Cleaner
My room was in an awful mess. Everyday, I would leave bits of paper on the table and leave dirty clothes on the floor. As expected, small bits of paper accumulated and soon, every part of my table was covered with papers, envelopes, letters and books. It got to the stage where I couldn't even find my Rail Card, which I recalled was left on the table a few days ago. So, after dumping a good amount of rubbish and putting things back to place, my table was reasonably empty. Helen, my housemate, even commented that, "Ahh....finally, I could see the wood of your table!"

3. Holiday booker
I was also trying to sort out my holiday. Me planning to go to Germany in October, but I still haven't book any flights yet. With only about 3 weeks to go before my holiday, I started to search for budget flights and accommodation. Still haven't book any yet...because I've got my kiasu cap on, so much so that I kept searching for better bargains.


Having played different roles over the weekend, its back to work for me tomorrow. The motorway will still be very DEAD, so I'll leave for work later. Right, off to bed I go! Nite nite!

What is in the mind?

I wonder....

What would drive a young boy less than 15 yrs to commit suicide? He did it with serious intentions to take his life away. He nearly lost his life.

It is such a shame for such things to happen. I soon found out that it was the anxiety to go to school that drove him to do that...he wasn't being bullied in school either. I really wonder what is going on in his mind.

I remember when I was younger (years ago), the thought of going to school made me happy. I do not suffer from the blues of going back to school after the holidays. In fact, I was really excited and started to pack my school bag before the holidays ended.

Anyway, guess everyone is different...I hope the poor boy gets proper help.

Food Feast

It was all about food this weekend!

Saturday started off with lunch at Cafe Andaluz, a popular Spanish tapas bar. Then, for dinner, I went over to SzeLeng's and HoonYing's flat for a nice meal. It was a gathering for all of us that are currently working in UK. I met a few friends whom I have not seen for quite awhile. It was really nice to catch up with them. It was something like a potluck dinner. There were nasi lemak, pakora, roasted duck and pork, alcohol and lots of snacks. :)

Sunday kicked off with a big meal at Loong Fung, a chinese restaurant that serves dim sum. The dim sum was not bad. In the evening, we all had tea at Tchainova, an interesting tea fusion shop. We ordered quite a few desserts there...and boy, they were good!

Now that I had a good weekend, I'm dreading to go back to work again, sigh, I'm on call tomorrow....so sien. My monday blues began this morning, in fact. *yawn

The group of us at dinner.

L-R: SzeLeng, HoonYing and me.

Learning The ABCs

*phew

What a long week it has been. I was undergoing training for the past week, learning how to perform a few practical procedures (chest drains, central lines) and also learning about common paediatric illness and paeds basic life support.

Then, followed by 2 days of Advanced Life Support course. Boy, this was really hectic. The day began at about 8 am and ended just about 7 pm. It was really long...and we had to learn to be the team leader in the event of a cardiac arrest, therefore, we acted out a good few scenarios. It was all really good...the trainers were approachable and good at teaching. So it was back to the basics of learning the ABCs, and also DEFG....plus, a few other stuff....

At the end of the course, we had to sit for a MCQ paper and perform in a scenario. I have to admit that I was pretty stressed about the whole thing....because during the scenario, I have to give commands to my fellow cardiac arrest team members who were consultants in A & E and anaesthesia. It felt strange. I am only a doctor with 1 year of experience. I felt tiny.

Anyway, glad that I passed the whole thing, and now I am a fully certified in ALS. So bring it on! Give me any situation, I should be able to handle it, no problem. *yeah right. Things are different when you are actually in a proper case. Everything will be chaotic. Although I have been in many arrest, I was always the person who tries to get IV access and obtain ABG. But guess now that I am slightly more senior than a JHO, I have more responsibility, and am expected to lead the cardiac arrest team. *yikes! scary.

Work and Kiddies

Saturday was rather busy at work. Sunday was alright. I managed to get home by 10 pm last night, had maggi mee with egg, was waiting for my turn to shower, as my housemate was using it......the next I remember was waking up at 5 am, with working clothes on, towel draped over my body (as though it was my duvet), contact lens stuck in the eyes, and a full bladder that needs emptying almost immediately.

haha...the joys of my life. How interesting.

Anyway, I've decided that paediatrics is actually not too bad...but, I think I will get really "kang kor" when I see sick children, or see wonderful parents looking after their sick child. I felt so sorry on Sunday when I asked a Mum whether both she and Dad were in good health. She informed me that Dad died last year with a massive MI, while she was pregnany with her 2nd child. =( That is really really heart wrenching. He was a very young man in his 30s.

In another case, I felt really sorry to inform the parents that their wee daughter, nearing the age of 2, has insulin dependent diabetes. I knew that they were prepared for the news, but I could still see the devastating look in their faces. Imagine, she's only 2, having to have 3-4 times finger prick to check her BM, having to inject herself with insulin....and all these, for the rest of her life. And don't get me started on the potential complications, DKAs and hypos..etc..

I don't know. Poor children. I really salute to parents who take every effort to look after their disabled child...you guys are fantastic. You know, sometimes, looking back at the months when I was doing adult medicine, grown ups are such big moaners. Kiddies....they are so innocent and naive. I was speaking to a boy with severe asthma over the weekend...he was telling me about his playstation, wii, gameboy and ipod, while working really hard to breathe. And when I asked him how he was doing, the answer was, "I'm doing fine." But you could see his muscles contracting and hear his wheeze. Its amazing how kids are so oblivious of how ill they are. Adults just moans and moans.

ok...that's my rant for the day.

>:-|

The past few days of on call have been exceptionally busy!

On Wednesday, the paediatric receiving ward was so full. Almost every15 minutes, my registrar's bleep kept going off. And nearly every 15 minutes, a new patient walked into the ward. I started at 9 am...by 9pm, both my registrar and me have seen about 20 new patients! Madness! I hate it when they all come in at one time. It makes everything confusing and the nurses become clumsy too.

On Thursday, it was busy too, but at least the patients arrival were well spaced...at least 2 an hour or something. Then yesterday....oh my goodness....it was awful! Again my senior's page did not stop bleeping. There was constant flow of patients into the ward...and so, by 10pm, we have seen about 26 patients, and there were 5 still waiting. Parents were getting restless and so were their sick child.

To make matters worse, the nurses in the general paeds ward were not trained to prepare intravenous drugs. So who has to do them? Me. Yeap...so at 10.30 pm yesterday, I was trying to work out how to prepare an aminophylline infusion for a boy with asthma. It wasn't difficult at all, but after having such a busy day, my eyes had became very blurry and brain was working slower. I had to read the instructions multiple times before finally understanding the method of preparing the drug.

I am really not looking forward to this weekend, as again, I am on call. Hope it won't be as bad as the past few days! I really have lost the will to live the past few days. Its off to work I go now.

Swinging Back into Rhythm

It was back to work for me today after a good 10 days off. I woke up at 5 am today, which is bloody early!! Guess I was "excited" to go back to work. But I think the excitement came from the fact that I could finally drive myself to work for the first time! =D

Since I got up so early, I decided to wash my bedsheets...at 5.30 am?!! (don't ask me why) Weird! I know. I know. I have no idea what sparked me to do that...but I just did. The rest of the time was spent reading the news on the net and getting ready. I began my journey early...about 15 mins before 8 am. I was worried that I would get lost. But I found my way no problem. The traffic was just the usual - crowded.

It wasn't too bad going back to work. I had the joys of being the phlebotomist for the day. I bled about 4 -5 children today. The rest of the afternoon was spent completing my discharges, which were piling up in my pigeon hole. Although it wasn't particularly busy, I found it hard to get into the rhythm...I was confused...I kept thinking that it was Monday.

And yes, I drove myself home, which was really enjoyable. I was home in just 30 minutes...no more walking to the train station, no more waiting for the train....ahh....this is life man!

I Loved Marley Too...

Marley, is a labrador retriever, featured in a book, called, "Marley and Me." I read the book in just a few days....it was a true story, about Marley, his master (who is also the author of the book), and his master's family. The story started with the day the author brought Marley home, until the day Marley went up to dog heaven.

Marley's funny character, and naughty behaviours related so much to my dogs....Fifi, Kiki and Pecan. Fifi was given away because I was very young and mum couldn't cope looking after her. Kiki is still with me, while Pecan's care has been taken over by my ex-bf.

I couldn't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes when I read the chapter where Marley needed to be put to sleep because of volvulus. Just by reading the book, I have fallen in love with Marley.

So, if you guys have a chance or the time, I would highly recommend getting your hands on "Marley and Me." I am sure you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.