The last time I played a full classical song on my piano was more than 10 years ago.
I never really touched the piano again since then. I seriously hated playing the piano. I hate practising the scales, the exam pieces, the aural tests and of course, the theory part as well. I was adamant that no matter what happens to my grade 8 examination, I would not touch the piano ever again, because I was really sick of it.
However, during my trip to Isle of Skye, one of the B & B s that we stayed in had a piano. The owner told us that we could play it if we wanted to. Somehow, regardless of what I had told myself previously, I sat down in front of the piano, looked at the music notes in front of me.... the music score was written by Beethoven, in fact, it was his famous Sonata. I started to play....although I struggled to play the notes spontaneously, I really enjoyed the sound of the piano!
Then, I started to play "Fur Elise." I recalled playing this song during one of my piano concerts... I tried to play a few songs from my memory, but nah, I failed. However, the bottomline is, I miss playing the piano. I really do. We stayed at that B&B for 2 nights...and every day, I would play a few songs from the book..and felt fantastic after that.
hehe...its amazing. So now, I take back whatever hatred I had previously. In fact, I am aiming to buy a baby grand in the future and place it right in the middle of my living room. =)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tiring, but Well Worth It!
I haven't been blogging!
Honestly, there wasn't much to blog about. I could go on and on about my work life...but I decided that moaning would not really change anything. I just have to suck it up and shut up. Apart from work, I have been travelling! My friends and I visited the Isle of Skye, one of the famous island in Scotland. I volunteered to drive, as I do not see a point in renting a car, when I already have one. The drive was tiring, but extremely challenging. Imagine driving on a single track road, with a huge truck trying to drive pass you on the opposite direction....scary. But I survived, so did my car. =) I am proud of her (my peugeot).
The drive took nearly 6 hours....and I drove through country roads most of the time. If I have not mistaken, the whole journey, from my house to Isle of Skye, around the island, and back to my house, was approximately 800 to 900 miles. Anyway, the scenery was amazing. It was certainly a relaxing holiday. Check out the pics.
On The way to Isle of Skye.
Eileen Donan Castle
Plockton, a lovely village.
The Highland Coo (a hairy cattle)
That's me!
Portree Harbour
The Black Cuillin Hills. (black coz the surface looks black).
Dunvegan Castle
Coral Beach, Moonen Bay
Coral Beach, Moonen Bay
Sunset @ Waternish
Neist Point
The lighthouse at Neist Point.
Honestly, there wasn't much to blog about. I could go on and on about my work life...but I decided that moaning would not really change anything. I just have to suck it up and shut up. Apart from work, I have been travelling! My friends and I visited the Isle of Skye, one of the famous island in Scotland. I volunteered to drive, as I do not see a point in renting a car, when I already have one. The drive was tiring, but extremely challenging. Imagine driving on a single track road, with a huge truck trying to drive pass you on the opposite direction....scary. But I survived, so did my car. =) I am proud of her (my peugeot).
The drive took nearly 6 hours....and I drove through country roads most of the time. If I have not mistaken, the whole journey, from my house to Isle of Skye, around the island, and back to my house, was approximately 800 to 900 miles. Anyway, the scenery was amazing. It was certainly a relaxing holiday. Check out the pics.
On The way to Isle of Skye.
Eileen Donan Castle
Plockton, a lovely village.
The Highland Coo (a hairy cattle)
That's me!
Portree Harbour
The Black Cuillin Hills. (black coz the surface looks black).
Dunvegan Castle
Coral Beach, Moonen Bay
Coral Beach, Moonen Bay
Sunset @ Waternish
Neist Point
The lighthouse at Neist Point.
Monday, May 12, 2008
In One Ear, Out The Other
I am sure all of us have been in this situation before.
We get scolded by out teacher or parents, when we do not think we did anything wrong... so the words enter the right ear, and the same words leave the left ear almost immediately.
On Sunday morning, I went to work as usual. To be honest, I felt that the day would be ok... because I had a positive attitude when I woke up that morning.
However, things changed when I stepped into the hospital. The consultant whom I was working over the weekend with was in a grumpy mood....(well, apparently, he is ALWAYS in a bad mood). I have never really worked with him before.
Anyway, I was told off in front of everyone that I was trying to be clever. It was all about an elderly lady with diabetes, who was admitted the day before because of confusion. She is just slightly more confused than normal. She did not have a fever, her heart rate was normal, her breathing rate was normal, her oxygen levels were normal. The consultant thought that she probably has a chest infection or a urinary tract infection. He just said that this patient should be on an antibiotic. So I prescribed an oral antibiotic.
The next day, when he went back to review the patient, he went bonkers. He shouted, "I wanted this patient on IV antibiotic, and you prescribed her with an oral one?" I explained to him that I did not think the patient met the criteria for an IV antibiotic and she was otherwise clinically well. Her WCC was only slightly raised and her CRP was only 74. I thought to myself, you did not even write in the notes that you specifically wanted IV antibiotic...and now you are complaining that I did not follow your instructions?! wtf!
Today, I was informed by a fellow colleague that he was complaining about me to other consultants that he works with. "That Dr. Toh, whom I was on-call with over the weekend, really needs to know who is the boss. I told her to prescribe IV, she went on to prescribe oral!"
Great! What a way to begin the week eh?
in one ear.....out the other.... and smile! (that's what I told myself).
We get scolded by out teacher or parents, when we do not think we did anything wrong... so the words enter the right ear, and the same words leave the left ear almost immediately.
On Sunday morning, I went to work as usual. To be honest, I felt that the day would be ok... because I had a positive attitude when I woke up that morning.
However, things changed when I stepped into the hospital. The consultant whom I was working over the weekend with was in a grumpy mood....(well, apparently, he is ALWAYS in a bad mood). I have never really worked with him before.
Anyway, I was told off in front of everyone that I was trying to be clever. It was all about an elderly lady with diabetes, who was admitted the day before because of confusion. She is just slightly more confused than normal. She did not have a fever, her heart rate was normal, her breathing rate was normal, her oxygen levels were normal. The consultant thought that she probably has a chest infection or a urinary tract infection. He just said that this patient should be on an antibiotic. So I prescribed an oral antibiotic.
The next day, when he went back to review the patient, he went bonkers. He shouted, "I wanted this patient on IV antibiotic, and you prescribed her with an oral one?" I explained to him that I did not think the patient met the criteria for an IV antibiotic and she was otherwise clinically well. Her WCC was only slightly raised and her CRP was only 74. I thought to myself, you did not even write in the notes that you specifically wanted IV antibiotic...and now you are complaining that I did not follow your instructions?! wtf!
Today, I was informed by a fellow colleague that he was complaining about me to other consultants that he works with. "That Dr. Toh, whom I was on-call with over the weekend, really needs to know who is the boss. I told her to prescribe IV, she went on to prescribe oral!"
Great! What a way to begin the week eh?
in one ear.....out the other.... and smile! (that's what I told myself).
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Absolutely Speechless!
I came back from a long day at work, feeling rather grumpy and tired. But I was immediately woken up by this TV programme on E4 tonight.
It was a performance by Derren Brown, a famous magician, psychological trickster, mentalist etc.. Oh my, oh my, I was left totally speechless after watching him.
He could read people's mind....he can really predict the future, he can make accurate calculations. I personally think he is more interesting than David Blaine. You have to watch it if you can...or even, try to You Tube him. You would be amazed at his tricks!
You could tell that he is so passionate about his work of art. He gets so excited when he explained the theory behind his tricks. He's just simply amazing!
It was a performance by Derren Brown, a famous magician, psychological trickster, mentalist etc.. Oh my, oh my, I was left totally speechless after watching him.
He could read people's mind....he can really predict the future, he can make accurate calculations. I personally think he is more interesting than David Blaine. You have to watch it if you can...or even, try to You Tube him. You would be amazed at his tricks!
You could tell that he is so passionate about his work of art. He gets so excited when he explained the theory behind his tricks. He's just simply amazing!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Race For Life
I'm joining the 5K race for life. It is a charity run for Cancer Research UK, and I am looking for people to sponsor me.
So if anyone of you are feeling generous, please do not hesitate to visit the link below!
Thank you for your support! It is very much appreciated.
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/sawlingtoh
So if anyone of you are feeling generous, please do not hesitate to visit the link below!
Thank you for your support! It is very much appreciated.
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/sawlingtoh
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
This is Wrong!
I can't stand this anymore!
I have been asked to work with one of the consultants in my ward...and oh my, it is not going very well, I have to say. First of all, being the junior member of staff, I really have no right to choose which consultant I would like to work with. So I was pushed to work with this particular consultant because none of my senior colleagues want to work with him.
Why?
It is pretty obvious, isnt? Because he is absolutely SHITE! Let me tell you what these shitty things were:
1. A patient with newly diagnosed osteoporosis, was treated with subcutaneous injection of calcitonin for 2 weeks, and then, only start the patient on a calcium and vit D supplement.
When I asked him about his management, he replied, "Calcitonin works best for osteoporosis."
Yea, right...where is the evidence? He didn't even want to consider bisphosphonates.
2. A patient with severe sepsis and vomiting was changed from IV antibiotics to oral ones. Now, does the patient even satisfy the criteria for switching? No. But he wanted it changed anyway.
3. A patient who has been in the hospital for a chest infection, began to develop dysuria. He was otherwise, systemically well. He asked me to start this patient on IV vancomycin for his hospital acquired urinary tract infection. I was like, WHAT?! How about simple ciprofloxacin or even trimethoprim??
4. A patient was in atrial flutter at a rate of 150 beats per min. He wanted the patient to have only 250 micrograms of digoxin on that day, and daily after that. But hello, you would need to load that patient up first leh! The next day, patient was still in fast AF.
5. A male patient who developed urinary retention due to an enlarged prostate gland. I asked if it would be alright to start him on an alpha blocker, like tamsulosin. He replied, "There's no need to do that. His prostate gland is already big....what use would it be to start him on this medication." I was mortified.
I could go on and on about all his shitty plans....Now you would understand why my senior colleagues do not want to work with him. Because when they question his management plans, they will end up arguing. I, on the other hand, would be told that I have not much experience in my job.
I am tired. I am sick and tired of doing ward rounds with him...To make matters worse, he is always on-call. So I have loads of patient every week....and not to mention, the number of dictations I have to do for his hospital discharges!! URGGHH!!!
I have been asked to work with one of the consultants in my ward...and oh my, it is not going very well, I have to say. First of all, being the junior member of staff, I really have no right to choose which consultant I would like to work with. So I was pushed to work with this particular consultant because none of my senior colleagues want to work with him.
Why?
It is pretty obvious, isnt? Because he is absolutely SHITE! Let me tell you what these shitty things were:
1. A patient with newly diagnosed osteoporosis, was treated with subcutaneous injection of calcitonin for 2 weeks, and then, only start the patient on a calcium and vit D supplement.
When I asked him about his management, he replied, "Calcitonin works best for osteoporosis."
Yea, right...where is the evidence? He didn't even want to consider bisphosphonates.
2. A patient with severe sepsis and vomiting was changed from IV antibiotics to oral ones. Now, does the patient even satisfy the criteria for switching? No. But he wanted it changed anyway.
3. A patient who has been in the hospital for a chest infection, began to develop dysuria. He was otherwise, systemically well. He asked me to start this patient on IV vancomycin for his hospital acquired urinary tract infection. I was like, WHAT?! How about simple ciprofloxacin or even trimethoprim??
4. A patient was in atrial flutter at a rate of 150 beats per min. He wanted the patient to have only 250 micrograms of digoxin on that day, and daily after that. But hello, you would need to load that patient up first leh! The next day, patient was still in fast AF.
5. A male patient who developed urinary retention due to an enlarged prostate gland. I asked if it would be alright to start him on an alpha blocker, like tamsulosin. He replied, "There's no need to do that. His prostate gland is already big....what use would it be to start him on this medication." I was mortified.
I could go on and on about all his shitty plans....Now you would understand why my senior colleagues do not want to work with him. Because when they question his management plans, they will end up arguing. I, on the other hand, would be told that I have not much experience in my job.
I am tired. I am sick and tired of doing ward rounds with him...To make matters worse, he is always on-call. So I have loads of patient every week....and not to mention, the number of dictations I have to do for his hospital discharges!! URGGHH!!!
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