'Enchanted' started off interestingly, progressed hilariously and ended incredulously. While it is a funny movie for everyone to (hopefully) enjoy, I personally found it pretentious and severely unrealistic. Though admittedly, the first half of the show wasn't too bad, and a number of scenes were just hilarious, but the emergence of cliche story twists and a freaking dragon near the end just killed the movie for me. I must say that I find such illogical, overly perfect/happy endings highly distasteful. But, if such things are your kind of thing, then please, go ahead and indulge in an overdose of mind-numbing sweetness.
I must however, say that the actors were quite good in the movie. I think it takes amazing guts and (maybe not so much) skill to portray characters that are so over-the-top and quite literally, out of this world: kudos must be given to the actress, Amy Adams, who played the annoyingly innocent, cutesy Princess and the actor James Marsden who played the annoyingly stupid, himbo Prince. They were so annoying in their respective roles that it actually made them ironically, so darn good. Though sadly, the same cannot be said about Patrick Dempsey's performance as the cynical lawyer Robert who ends up falling in love with that silly Princess - he was just a more jaded, subdued form of McDreamy, nothing special, nothing good (all in all, an uninspiring, safe performance). Half the time, I was hoping Meredith would just turn up and slap the Princess for attempting to snatch Derek away from her - and someone to pull the backdrop off and woalah! - we are instantly transported from New York city to the beloved corridors of Seattle Grace, in the midst of a Grey's Anatomy movie!
It is a matter of personal opinion, that the movie would have been moderately good if the ending wasn't so damn unrealistic. I'm just extremely miffed by the appearance of a great big ugly dragon at the end of the movie, what's more, it was one which COULDN'T fly and had plunged to its death! Seriously? A dragon that can't fly? Technically, that's not a Dragon but a Wyrm. Which explains its hideousness and utter stupidity. And don't even get me started on how fake that silly creature looked. Preposterous!
That said, the songs are infectious. I can see myself irritating people with a rousing chorus of 'I AM LOOKING FOR A TRUE LOVE'S KISSSSSSSS!'
CAs ended yesterday, and right now, I'm enjoying a much deserved break from all the mugging. All I'm interested in is watching TV, playing Starcraft, surfing the net, driving and going out. Nothing else matters, at least not til the end of December where the horrible realization that bacteriology CA is going hit us when school reopens! But at this very moment, none of that matters anymore. Life is good and I'm going to enjoy my short vacation - while it lasts.
When I living a life of blatant debauchery, inspiration to blog dwindles. New entries are gonna be produced at much lower frequency! This is a show of solidarity with the American Writers: they are on strike, and I am too! Til I blog again!
EDIT @ 2234hr: I just flew solo! Woo hoo! Came back from my first ever solo drive! I feel as if I just completed my first major surgical procedure without any guidance and assistance from anyone - much like how George did his first ever solo surgery in the lift! Woo hoo!
Seriously! THIS HAS TO STOP! Its one more revision day prior to my last day of CAs and here I am hooked on 'Brothers & Sisters'! This is not good for me. Seriously. I can catch up after the CAs, hours and hours of television and funny funny funny lines and hilarious situations that make 'Brothers & Sisters' such wonderfully addictive TV! But not now, seriously, not now! I still have loads of stuff to study for Cancer.
Anyway, that's a nice song up there. 'Pictures of You' by The Last Goodnight. Plus its an official 'Brothers & Sisters' song, just take a look at the music video! The scenes fit with the music perfectly! Nice song to get happy to.
'Brothers & Sisters' is really nice because the Walkers are so damn funny! They get into highly hilarious, yet absolutely realistic situations. They seem to be perpetually bickering over the most silly and trivial things, which is really kinda how every huge loving family deals with their own issues and stuff. Now who wouldn't want that kind of chaos and closeness? I know I do!
I got hooked on this song thanks to one of my younger cousins, who kept playing it over her handphone. Its a nice song by Avril Lavigne, pretty haunting actually. Avril's actually quite a good singer; I would know since I attended her concert here in J2, which is quite surprising because many would think of her as a rather lousy singer given her image. Haha.
Been feeling quite happy over the last few days. Neuroscience CA turned out to be rather easy all thanks to our Prof, who blatantly dropped anvil sized hints in one of his lectures - and guess what? The questions that were tested were really on those topics that he hinted on. Thank god for that, because it was an 'all or none' principle kind of thing. But I'm glad it didn't end up horrible or something, because I was really worried about Neuroscience and studying it was really a chore.
Apparently, the Microbiology and Immunology CA results are both out. And according to Gerard, the results for the whole level aren't good. What can I say? Its kind of expected isn't? I haven't checked my results yet but I'm still hoping it would be a pass. I think I should give up hope on a 'good pass' though.
I've been driving non-stop for the past 3 days/nights and its been fun. My parents are really great at this trust thing, they have no problems regarding my on-the-road performance, except maybe a few minor nitpicks here and there. Though the same thing cannot be said of my brother. Picked him up from the airport yesterday, and it was a noisy ride back home, with him giving lots and lots of comments that it got my parents all riled up as well. Plus, my brother's a distraction! He keeps shifting in the front seat and making huge sweeping hand gestures, its a miracle I didn't turn off the highway or something. But I'm still having problems with parking though. Apparently, my family insists that the way the school teaches parking is wrong, and that we are supposed to park some other way. Its rubbish really. But all in all, driving has so far been fun.
I was watching 'Grey's Anatomy' last night and there was a scene where Meredith was confiding in the Chief that she feels awful that she had just brought a woman working in the hospital to see her husband, who was involved in an ambulance collision, for what would be the last meeting she would ever have with her dying husband. And the Chief said something along the lines of 'This is the job Meredith, this is the job.' which got me wondering how many more times this kind of situation would occur in my life; where I would feel guilty for not being able to fulfill my promises and obligations to people and end up seeing them die or get hurt or turn out worse than expected. Its kinda sobering that this is going to be a constant fixture in my life, and that one day I'll just lose the sour taste and dull sensation of it. I think it kinda sucks that we have to end up becoming robots to become the kind of people who can really do our jobs to the best of our abilities. I don't know, maybe clinicals does that to you. Maybe it'll be worthed it. I seriously don't know.
Update @ 2138: I just came back from my first night time drive in a long long time! It was so thrilling! Anyway, I'm feeling damn proud of myself right now, because its the first time I drove my parents about. After 20 years of driving me around the country, I've finally started to repay that debt of gratitude to them. Boy I feel grown up! =] __________________________________
Last night, I had dreams about my driving test. Very amusing dreams. I dreamt that I missed my test timing. I dreamt that I booked a test for an auto car instead. I dreamt that I didn't book a driving test date at all! Anyway, I had lots of dreams (or rather nightmares) about it and it wasn't very nice.
And this morning, when I was lying in bed and preparing to wake up, I felt like I was Cristina Yang on her wedding day. There's this scene of her lying in bed, looking at the wedding gown hanging on her closet door, completely dreading the unknown and unpredictable events that might come. I felt like that this morning, and I just lay there staring at the curtains on my window, listening to the light drizzle that was happening outside, knowing that it was, again, time to go out and face the testers. As much as I was dreading ever failing the test again, I knew that there was nothing to it, but to do it. Man, it was time.
And so I went and took the test. And woo-hoo! I passed! So now I have my license to drive. My hard earned license to drive. I'm so happy and pleased and proud of the fact that I finally got it. I started learning driving last year, when I was in the army, and finally, after almost two years, I've got the damn piece of paper that gives me the authority and right to drive on the roads. Life right now, at this very moment, is so damn good. I'm loving it.
Driving, to me, is important not as a skill or a means to get around; its more of a rite of passage to adulthood. Its the first major thing that I ever accomplished on my own, and it really makes me feel like an adult. It really is a milestone. I know its all transient and what not, and that its just a piece of paper, but that piece of paper sort of embodies everything about growing up - the responsibility it entails, the trust that society and people place in you, the way that your life (not to mention the life of others) is now in your own hands. It really is the first of many steps to being a man. And I'm glad I got through it.
To celebrate, I'm going to study cancer and neurology now before going out tonight. It's also a coincidence that today's the date of my parents' 26th wedding anniversary and so, in celebration of the double occasion, we are going out for dinner. And guess who's going to be behind the wheel tonight? =P
'Kekkaishi' is one of the few Japanese anime/manga series I am following right now. It airs every weekday from 1900 to 1930, and its one of the many factors contributing to my slow progress in studying. Anyway, its another supernatural type Japanese anime, about a boy destined to slay demons and protect his family from evil, somewhat like 'Bleach'. I love watching animes that have such themes - ghosts, demons, spiritual powers etc. It has a quality that really appeals to me.
Here's the synopsis from Wikipedia: "Five hundred years ago, a feudal lord was attacked by demons wanting to retrieve his mysterious inner power, the invincible power that can help them take over the human world. The famous mage, Tokimori Hazama, was called upon, and with his 2 students, managed to save the whole land. But due to their sickness, the feudal lord was killed, his power buried with him at a site called Karasumori.
In the present day, Yoshimori Sumimura and Tokine Yukimura, heirs of the Hazama clan, became the Kekkaishi protecting the land and the power. They use a technique called Kekkai, a form of magical barrier, used to capture and destroy Ayakashi (monsters/demons) that are drawn to this land. Any demons that come near the power will become stronger and therefore Yoshimori and Tokine are to guard the land from intrusion of the Ayakashi.
But some of the demons form a powerful organization to take over that mysterious power. Yoshimori plans to destroy not only the demons, but also to gain the power to completely save the world from being controlled by demons. To do that, he first needs to know what the power actually is, and also strengthen his poor kekkai skills."
The story has progressed to quite an interesting stage. The animation and battle sequences are so much better than 'Bleach', very exciting. 'Bleach' is like a whole new mythology, whereas 'Kekkaishi' is quite a new story, and the plot has yet to reach epic proportions yet, so its still easy to try and catch up. But the story's getting interesting! The characters are quite funny as well, I love the demon dogs the two protagonists keep as companions in their demon hunts. Watching the anime is good stress relief, makes me wanna be Japanese and have supernatural powers to slay demons as well.
That said, I dunno how I am going to survive the upcoming CAs. I've heard from seniors that M2 is also known as the 'Burnt Out Year', and as we fast approach the first half of the year, I can already see why. There's just too much things being taught and tested in too short a span of time. Pathology is making me sick. So is Neurology. Thank god the workload for Pharmacology isn't that big and I managed to finish it over the weekend already. I really feel sad that I have to go back to reading Pathology instead of surfing the net for more 'Kekkaishi' related stuff.
And here's something interesting that I picked up from Yisheng's blog!
Old habits die hard. A leopard never changes its spots. I was a gossip mongrel in JC, I was in charge of keeping a gossip manual to keep up with the latest gossips in class, and guess what? I was in charge of spreading them as well! I was the class' very own PA system. Why though? Because I firmly believed that the public has the right to know! =)
When I entered University, I thought that I would finally be able to be less of a PA system and gossip. Unfortunately, it appears that I am, a chronic gossip. Major secrets I can keep, but affairs of the heart and scandals, HOHO, I definitely can't keep! Why am I such a trickster you ask? Because I firmly believe that the public has the right to know! =)
I probably have a cosy room reserved in Hell, all nicely decorated just for me when I go there after death. Not that I believe in a Heaven and Hell, but yeah, you get my point. Oh but the happiness and excitement and laughter that gossip brings! Such wonderful joy and delight! I admit the chaos it brings is so darn addictive. Nothing makes my heart happier that seeing the wondrous look of bewilderment that amazing gossip brings! Because you see, I firmly believe that the public has the right to know! And be happy of course! =)
I am in a happy mood right now. I feel like Willy Wonka or Captain Jack Sparrow, so delightfully gay and kooky. Oh random note, both characters were played by the amazing Johnny Depp, who is my favourite actor and incidentally, a Gemini. What can I say? We Geminis rock!
I am a Leopard. Because I firmly believe that the public has the right to know. =)
You are Chandler. You're funny and that's why people like to have you around. You're also a great friend, and when someone you care about is in trouble, they know to come to you for some level-headed advice followed by some sharp sarcasm.
You are Simba. You're young, naive, and misguided. However, don't fear, because your growth comes exponentially with hard times ahead. Only then will you reach the goals you've set out to accomplish.
You are Leonardo da Vinci. You are the "Renaissance man" and you live to be productive. Great at everything you put your mind to, you have great passion and drive. But of all qualities, your curiosity is your best trait.
You are part Charlie Brown. You are always optimistic and persistent, and everyone appreciates your simple sweetness. Sometimes, however, your anxieties get the best of you, and life's mysteries can confuse you.
You are part Schroeder. You are brilliant, ambitious, and brooding; you tackle tasks with extreme focus. People don't always interest you as much as other pursuits, though, so you can come off as aloof.
Apparently, its a tie. I find it questionable though that its a tie between two characters of completely different personalities. Maybe its just a reflection of my Geminian nature. We really are two people in one single body.
You are Dory. You are naive and gullible. Wait, that's a good thing. Your ability to trust any stranger is a trait not many people have, but be more cautious next time a stranger offers to buy you lunch or you might find yourself in a fishy situation.
Okay, see this is another quiz that makes me look like I'm stupid or something. 'Naive and gullible'... am I seriously that nice? On another note, the picture of Dory really reminds me of Sara. So amusing. Haha.
CALLIE:"Four years of high school, four years of college, four years of med school. By the time we graduate we're in our late 20s and we've never done anything except go to school and think about science. Time stops. We're socially retarded. Ha, I mean, look at me, I'm in love with a guy who won't say he loves me back and here I am, in his kitchen, just hoping he comes home and notices me. I'm that girl, who sits in the back of the class and eats her hair. And Meredith, she's 17 years old, we're all 17 years old. This is high school with scalpels, Finn."
Its amazing how the scriptwriters of Grey's Anatomy can take a offhand remark from an episode two seasons ago, and make it the central theme of a new episode of Grey's. See, this is exactly why they deserve a raise. So give in to the strike, rich television broadcast companies! Give them their much deserved pay increment and stop jeopardizing my source of future episodes of favourite shows.
I am in a very emo mood. Perhaps its due to the lunch with old classmates, or mugging with Suan or the long MSN conversation with Geraldine. Or perhaps its just me reacting to the fact that I spent 70 odd dollars on CDs yesterday. But I'm in a very passionate mood about this whole issue and this calls for a good old fashioned Bailey styled rant/speech/whatever.
Its so so true isn't it? As much as we try to convince ourselves that we have grown up and matured alot since high school, the fact is that we HAVE NOT grown up at all. We are still stuck in the same kind of situations, the same kind of problems, the kind of social traps and stigmas of high school, and best of all, we are nowhere better equipped/experienced/able to handle them. Nothing much has changed since we left that cut throat environment 4 years ago. Nothing at all.
In so many ways, Medical School (or University for that matter), is just like High school. Everyone wants to be happy and loved and popular and safe in their own little delightful circles of joy, peace and laughter. Nobody wants to be troubled, nobody wants to be dragged down into unhappiness, nobody wants to help those that have issues and are deemed as the 'scary and damaged'. We all too cooped up making sure that our own personal lives are all bright and happy and prom-king/queen perfect. All the majority wants to do is have fun.
Someone said that Medical School isn't clique-ish. Well, as much as we all hope it wouldn't be that way, it still is. We have the popular kids, the people who are out there attracting all the flak and arrows: when times are good, people accuse them of being suck ups, when things end up badly, we accuse them of screwing up. We have the geeks, commonly labeled as chronic muggers who spend their days memorizing textbooks, whose home is the library where they spend majority of their time there, just enjoying reading textbook after textbook and freaking the rest of the population out. We have the jocks, all big and muscled, who sit near the back of the lecture theatre, in their own little community of frat boy styled height of cool, their circle of 'macho-ness'. We have the ostracized kids, that people gossip about, bitch about, point fingers at, whisper about them behind their backs and basically try to avoid all forms of social dealings with them. We have the cheerleaders, the ultimate social animals, people who just want to have fun, have lots and lots of fun in their own circle of friends, oblivious to what the rest of the world thinks, just happy in their own little circle of fun. We have the emo kids, the angsty, anti-social people who think anti-establishment, dark and twisty, scary thoughts, people who self isolate, people who just don't want to interact with others, who sit on the fringes of the social environment and observe everything that is going on. And we have the seemingly normal ones - who are neither here nor there. People who aren't popular, people who aren't lonely, people who seem to have a balanced life, a life with occasional bouts of fun but also have their fair share of problems as well.
As much as we try to convince ourselves that we have moved on from the awkwardness of the situations that define what it was to be in High School, we are no different from where we started. We still have our petty disagreements, our messy love lifes, our own social conflicts and dilemmas, our own fair share of secrets and hiding and mask wearing, of back-stabbing and politics and manipulation. We are no closer to being mature individuals and grown ups that we all (hopefully) aspire to be. We hide behind a screen of pseudo-happiness and protection, we try to convince ourselves that by not caring, by washing your hands off the matter, by acting as if nothing has happened, that things will not affect you. We act cool and composed, that we don't care at all, that we aren't affected by this and that, when in actual fact, we are just avoiding our issues and our problems, many of which are self inflicted and self propagated. And it is this that infuriates me.
We run away when problems arise, and if we judge that the problems are gone, we come back all happy as if nothing bad has ever happened. And when we judge that the problems become too much to handle, that even if it ends, the cost of maintaining things is too high, we end it, as if personal relationships are some sort of business, economic transaction that could be measured by cost and profit.
I was one of the angsty, emo, anti-social kids in High School. I was never popular, I never held a post in any form of committee. I avoided leadership positions because I was beyond that kind of crap. I hated the social, happy, enthusiastic student leader creeps. I despised the cheerleaders and the social animals. And no one ever bordered to approach me because I scared them off with my killer glare and snide, sarcastic remarks. Which is ironic because despite not wanting to talk to people, I would most definitely have welcomed anyone who was willing to listen to my views on how things were, views that were formulated from long years of sitting on the fringes of society and just observing how people(and society) worked. But I had friends who were willing to listen to me. I had that small group of friends: one, or two, or perhaps three people that understood me, that were going through a similar experience, people I could really trust, that I would willingly die for. And if anything, I learnt that these type of friendships are the ones that mattered, that these are the types of friendships worth keeping. And perhaps that was the ultimate lesson that I had learnt from high school.
People ask me why I'm so willing to put up with all this darkness and unhappiness and crap thrown at me. I will simply say that I never give up on friends even when they turn all dark and twisty, because I am dark and twisty, I am an emo kid, and I'm proud of it. I know how it is to be lonely, I know how frustrating to feel like no one understands you, I know how irksome it is to see the rest of the world feeling all bright and happy when you just aren't in the mood for saccharine sweetness. So I never give up, even if things appear tough, even if things aren't easy, even if things are tiring and difficult. Simple as that. I-NEVER-GIVE-UP.
MEREDITH:"There comes a point in your life, when you’re officially an adult. Suddenly, you’re old enough to vote, drink and engage in other adult activities. Suddenly, people expect you to be responsible, serious, a grown-up. We get taller, we get older. But do we ever really grow up? In some ways we grow up; we have families... we get married, divorced... but for the most part we still have the same problems that we did when we were fifteen. No matter how much we grow taller, grow older, we are still forever stumbling... forever wondering, forever... young."
We will forever be young, we will never grow up. We will forever be stumbling in the big mess called life, forever foolish, forever young. Perhaps it'll be better if we just accept that not everyone can act happy all the time.
Damian, also spelled Damien, Daymian, Damiano, Дамјан, Damião, etc., is a given name from the Latin Damianus and, in turn, from the Greek Δαμιανος Damianos which was derived from the Greek word δαμαω damao meaning "to tame".
So I'm a tamer. I'm supposed to have the inbuilt power of being able to tame the hearts and minds of my fellow man. How inspiring. Do you guys think that that's true? Perhaps there's some given truth in it, given my history of being a 'Meredith' or 'Phoebe' to friends. And if its my ultimate destiny to be someone like that, well, I guess I'll be living a fruitful life then.
I'm about to leave home for driving and then lunch with some members of 04s71 and then a mugging session with Lileng and Suan. I realised that I'm running out of time for revision for the second round of CA1. The pressure is really mounting and great, coupled to the fact that I didn't study a wee bit last night because I was just so exhausted. I went to sleep immediately after watching 'Grey's Anatomy', which didn't manage to perk me up a single bit. Oh well. Lets hope the weekend's going to be productive. I aim to finish Pharmacology across the weekend!
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz Well you done done me and you bet I felt it I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted I fell right through the cracks and now I'm trying to get back Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my bestest Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some
I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait, I'm yours
Well open up your mind and see like me Open up your plans and damn you're free Look into your heart and you'll find love love love Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing A lá one big family (2nd time: A lá happy family; 3rd time: A lá peaceful melody) It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love
So I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours
I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer My breath fogged up the glass And so I drew a new face and laughed I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons It's what we aim to do Our name is our virtue
I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short this is our fate, I'm yours
I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait, I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours
No please, don't complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours
No please, don't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait The sky is your's! ____________________________________________________
This is one of my favourite songs. And Jason Mraz has got to be one of the most talented artiste out there ever. Its no wonder Eugene Chan is so crazy over him. I've been listening to the various life performances of this song on youtube, and it made me regret not being able to catch him when he was performing 'life' in Singapore at last year's Mosaic festival.
Note to self: Never listen to songs by Jason Mraz when you are attempting to study heavy stuff like neuroscience.
On another note, I think this is the song I would sing to my girlfriend when I propose. I had it all figured out already - I'll learn to play this song on the guitar, memorize the lyrics, practice singing til my voice doesn't break at the high notes, invite her out for a picnic or star gazing session at night, serenade her, and then propose. But of course, the only problem I have is that I don't have anyone to propose to, so yeah, so much for all my perfect plans. =)
Update @ 2000hr: There's 'Titanic' on TV right now! And I can't believe I actually contemplated watching the movie! Oh my! First 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and now 'Titanic'! Old movies are haunting me!
I'm going to raid my brother's room for his Titanic movie soundtrack. Anyone cares to join me in a rousing chorus of "My Heart Will Go On"? _________________________________________________
I just thought the lyrics of this song were particularly good. The Music Video is very thought provoking, though rather depressing. I'm a bit too lazy to find the link to put it up here, so I'm not going to do it. =)
Just some random thoughts: 1. I shouldn't have watched an episode of 'Brothers and Sisters' because I'm hooked on the series now. Which isn't good, because it means that I now have 4 television serials to follow.
2. With regards to 'Brothers and Sisters', I wished I had a huge family too. Having 4 younger siblings to bully and kick around wouldn't be so bad eh?
3. I wish I could shake off that feeling of intense exhaustion that creeps up on me everytime I start to read a set of notes.
4. I really really want my driving license badly.
5. I regret deciding not to go to the USA with my mom and brother in December, but am too proud to admit it.
6. I absolutely can't stand the idea of me having to stay in my uncle's empty HDB flat before my new house is ready. Call me pampered but I'm sorry, I just hate living in a HDB flat.
7. I want to sit down at the TCC and order my favourite Hazel Nut Frappe and just, chill.
8. I want an Ipod, a pair of good headphones, new speakers for my laptop, and a whole bunch of the latest CDs to listen to.
9. I want to fast forward to the as-of-yet-unannounced release date for Starcraft II and start playing the freaking game already.
10. I want to get good results without having to mug that hard. Hehe.
I feel like a dog trying to bite the moon. Grrrrrr.
I sometimes wonder how many of us out there are subscribers to the 'Pain Theory'. That pain, is good. Its part of the natural order of things, its part of your body's way of communicating with you, it lets you know that something's wrong, and it garners you into action. Pain is good. It exists and hurts for a reason. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and if you learn to deal with the pain, to live with it, to not give in to it, to exercise your will in overcoming its effects on you, you'll leave the situation stronger than you once were. It may sound sick or perverse to let yourself be tormented by the pain, but if you overcome it, the satisfaction and the high that you ride on is intense. Its so intense that it's addictive. And if there's anything humans can't deal with properly, its addiction. Because we need some form of addiction to survive.
I am a subscriber of the 'Pain Theory'. I sometimes choose to go ahead and do things the hard way, even though I know that most people will avoid doing them the way I choose to, because my way's so much more inconvenient or painful. But even though the harder way might hurt, it doesn't mean you avoid it altogether, and choose to hide from it. Very often in life, people want things to be simple and easy, but the truth is, when things end up like that, you're usually just avoiding the truth and the reality of it all. Because not everything in life is meant to be simple or easy. Sometimes, the easy way isn't necessarily the right way. Everyone has to eventually choose between what is right, and what is easy.
Life is one whole cycle of highs and lows. How well you learn to face the 'lows' in life, will determine how fast you recover from it, and how intense your next 'high' will be. But facing your fears and facing the things that hurt you isn't something anyone can do. Most people avoid it by numbing the pain, with fun, with alcohol, but the truth is, numbing the pain isn't the solution to your problems. If any, its just a temporary fix. What you need to do is to just face your nightmares, once and for all, pluck up the courage to fight it, get it over and done with, excise it from your system and then you'll be free for the rest of your life.
I think most people find it ridiculous that I did not move my driving test from a week where I have my Neuroscience CA, and while they don't show it, they secretly tell themselves that I am a goner for doing so. But hey, I believe that if anything, it builds character. Its 'Pain Theory' in motion, and even if I end up failing either one or even both, would I pity myself? I think not. I would be proud that I took the risk and not choose the easy way out.
Just what I need right now, a unbelievably poetic and sappy love song to get me in an emo mood. Anyway, Sodagreen creates some of the most poetic songs in mando-pop ever. Very poetic. This is their first single from their new (3rd) album which just got released in Taiwan in conjunction with their first huge concert or something. The youtube version's not the whole song, just a preview version, but its enough to kill. Sigh. I don't think its out here in Singapore right now, but then again, I've been a hermit for quite some time so my information sources are kinda inaccurate. But I'm definitely going cd-shopping on Thursday or Friday, to have my short break in celebration of the end of the first wave of CAs.
And its raining right now. The heavens are beckoning me to be emo man.
I know that I've been raving about Grey's Anatomy alot on this blog, but right now, just right now, I HAVE TO RAVE about the latest episode of the other major series I'm watching - Heroes.
This latest episode, S02E07 - Out of Time, is just SUPERB. SUPER DUPER EXCITING. ONE OF THE BLOODY BEST EPISODE OF HEROES EVER. It ranks with the episodes like 'The Company Guy' and 'String Theory' as one of the best from the series and really, just when you thought the series couldn't develop in any other way possible, the plot thickens: it twists and turns and throws you not one, but multiple big bang bomb sized plot shells that will shatter your mind and blow your heart! IT WAS THAT GOOD.
I wanna talk about it right here, right now, but I don't want to spoil it all for you. FINALLY, we are getting some answers, we are getting some indication of what is going to happen, we are getting an idea of the direction that this season is heading. As always, everything starts falling into place, every freaking little piece of the puzzle is finding its place in the big big picture! Amazing, amazing TV! This is TV in its god-most freaking best! Awesomeness!
Bottomline: Go watch it before someone spoils it for you!
P.S: Oh yeah, though it might be advisable not to watch it if you are currently depressed over the Virology CA we just had. It features alot of talk about Vaccines, Antibodies and Viruses. Surprise surprise! They have their very own Shanti virus and apparently, it undergoes antigenic shifts as well! A pity they didn't test us on that virus, because I know all about it right now!
Okay, this is here because Shihui complained that the previous youtube video featuring Sodagreen wasn't even an official new music video. Not wanting to admit defeat (hehe) I found this, which is a new official music video of one of their new songs. I think its the second single from their latest album, but I'm a bit perplexed as to why they didn't film a music video for the first single instead. But oh well, who cares as long as its good music? In stark comparison to the previous song, this one is utterly sappy and overly happy - and strangely, it works, because even cynical old me finds its cheerful infectious melody hard to resist! Which is good, because its time to temporarily shake away the exam blues baby, and be happy and merry for awhile before revertance to exam mode occurs! Woo-hoo!
Its amazing how a single band can produce songs of such extremes: ballads that are so poetic, touching and emotional, and fast tracks that are so happy, cheerful and saccharin-sweat. Amazing.
Anyway, my first three papers for CA1 are over. Now to wait til the last week on November for the final three papers. Immunology and Virology were both pretty challenging papers; Immunology was okay, but Virology was just a killer. They tested us on viruses that weren't even taught and also on specific details that I just never thought they would be evil us to test us on. Oh well, they are over. I just freaking hope I pass both papers with a decent mark. Time to enjoy myself for the next two days before the mugging starts all over again this weekend.
And speaking of enjoyment and oh-so-delightful fun, take a look at this sneak peak of the up and coming episode of Grey's! I'm having a hard time deciding which part is funnier - Meredith's look of abject horror when George and Izzie complain to her about their horrendous love-making; George complaining about Izzie being a porn star; Izzie complaining that George's kisses like a chicken 'Did he peck you like a chicken Mer?' or Cristina's "I'm painting Burke's apartment so that I can stop calling it Burke's apartment. A happy colour ... Red. Like blood." (she really gets the best lines!) Looks like this week's episode of Grey's is going to be a funny funny funny one!
“Being aware of your crap and actually overcoming your crap are two very different things.” - Cristina Yang
Ah, the wisdom of Cristina Yang. Life would be so boring without her droll sense of humour. And yes, being aware of all the crap you are expected to know for COFM, and actually knowing how to use the crap for COFM are really two very different things. My first paper in M2. Oh boy, this is going to be so much fun. =/
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls And I'd give up forever to touch you 'Cause I know that you feel me somehow You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be And I don't want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment And all I can breathe is your life 'Cause sooner or later it's over I just don't want to miss you tonight
And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming Or the moment of truth in your lies When everything feels like the movies Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive
And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am
And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am
And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am I just want you to know who I am I just want you to know who I am ____________________________________________
I was studying in school today when this particular song came up on air on Class 95's all 90s weekend. Nice song.
Studying in school today was a strange experience. I know its sounds silly to hear this, but today, for the first time in my rather short life, I finally felt like a University student. I know its ridiculous to hear me say this because I've been in University for almost a year and a half now, but today's the first time where I really felt like a University student - walking around the Central Library, walking around the huge campus, not knowing anyone, just me alone with my file of COFM notes, knowing that I'm here to study and focus on reading that pile of hellish nonsense in my hands. Made me understand that there's nothing to it but to slug it up and do it. Kinda sad because I attribute the feeling as one of feeling very very old and jaded. And seriously, I could do with not feeling so old and jaded all the time.
It doesn't help that majority of my friends in the Army are out enjoying ORD-parties and dinners and drunken slug-fests right now. Not that I should be jealous or anything, because I had my share of amazing happiness when I disrupted last July. But anyway, congratulations to all of you who ORD-ed! You guys really earned your freedom! And deserved it! Which is a far cry from what I can say about myself. =p And to the guys who have yet to ORD, hang in there! It'll be over in a jiffy, and then you'll be enjoying your time in our bright and wonderful world as well.
Its strange to think that while I'm of the same age as these newly ORD-ed guys, I feel like I'm at least 5 years older than them. Which leaves me to wonder if a year and a half in University really is that challenging - so much so it has this profound effect on my mental age. Or it could just be me being all old and sagely and wise again - I've always said that I age too fast, and that I age too much. While there isn't a thing called the fountain of Youth, I wouldn't mind taking a sip from it, so as to reverse this premature aging by just a little bit.
By the way, COFM really sucks. The Greene's Precede model is the most ridiculous thing I've ever forced myself to read and study. I can't believe that I spent my afternoon reading up on it today. I do not understand why people can spend a great deal of their time and lives to come up with silly theoretical models of make believe nonsense and muck - as if following these theories set in a so-called 'model' can help you get 100% of your patients to listen to you and change their wayward behaviours for you. Do they seriously expect us to apply such models in our actual practice? Do they seriously harbor the thoughts that such models would actually work? If they do, then I must say, I think they are awfully deluded. It takes away the fun in interacting with patients, and makes it impossible to enjoy the process of talking to a patient without having to think and consider whether I've tackled all the Predisposing factors that could affect his behavioral change and that I should go on to increase his self efficacy and strengthen his Enabling factors. Communication with patients comes spontaneously and naturally, not just based on some stupid model - its this kind of pseudo-organisation and attempt to create some sense out of the chaos that infuriates me. Its just so typical of mankind isn't it? They can't afford to not appear to be in control of the unknown - they simply have to have a plan, a guideline to follow, and noooOoOOooooo, they won't simply just roll with the punches and let it all flow naturally. Insufferable prudes.
And now, I must leave you because duty calls upon me to learn and decipher the delicate nature of illness behaviour, and the fine art of tackling it as a Physician, without which, I am sure, I would be considered a total failure in the eyes of my illustrious forefathers and peers.
Absolutely no studying today. Yup. No studying, absolutely nothing - zilch.
I had a great day relaxing today. I came home early, walked through the rain. I slept. Woke up. Watched TV. Went out for dinner with my parents. We went to Dempsey Hill - my idea - to find out what the fuss about that place was all about. You know the thing about Dempsey Hill? It strikes me as the kind of place Derek Shepard would bring Meredith Grey to on a date. I'm serious - its very very yuppie, very very tranquil and very very McDreamy. Nice place to go dating. *hint hint*
We had Korean BBQ - Kimchi and Pork and Chicken and lots of other strange appetizers that I couldn't really appreciate because of their intense spiciness. And then we had desert at PS Cafe which was highly recommended by Yuenmei and Yisheng. We ate two plates of chocolate-filled desert. One of them was some double chocolate cake brownie thing while the other was some dish starting with 'P' - which was basically puffs filled with vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate syrup. All in all, both dishes were just sick excuses for dumping copious amounts of chocolate syrup on plates and serving them to people. So so sinful. It made my mom decide to go to the gym tomorrow. *chuckle*
Had a pretty fun time with my parents tonight. I dunno if many people actually have fun with their parents - because I usually don't, but tonight was just strangely perfect. My dad was in an unusually exploratory mood, so he sorta accepted my suggestions of dining at Dempsey Hill quite readily. My mom just wanted to go out, so there wasn't really much need to psycho her into going. And I was just itching to go out and have a relaxing good time. So yeah, nice good quality family time. We talked about quite a lot of nonsense - or rather I talked about lots of crap and rubbish and random stuff that made absolutely no sense at all. We talked about the new house, we talked about my dad's bad habits of shoving food down his throat without appreciating the taste of the food, I ranted a lot about how people don't really listen to their doctors' advice, and my mom embarrassed us all by picking up her plate of desert halfway through the meal, and kept insisting that it was drizzling and that we should move indoors. I gotta admit - I was high on Chocolate. Its amazing really - its like being high on alcohol but so so so much better, because their isn't the nasty side effects of headaches and giddiness and the whole lot of crazy things people do due to alcohol. But anyway, it was a great night, until we realized that one of my wayward older cousins was actually in the same cafe as us. We didn't want to blow our cover by saying 'hi' to her, so the three of us sorta opted to just sit there, at our cosy corner and observe her from a distance, and lo and behold, somewhere along the line we realized that she had walked out to SMOKE. Needless to say, we were mortified because we didn't know that she had picked up the habit. My dad was PISSED. His face turned from all smiley due to chocolate overdose to pitch black storm cloud I-WILL-RIP-YOUR-GUTS-OUT fierce! Thank god my mom was there to quell his temper. But anyway, we decided to leave my cousin alone and not embarrass her in front of her bunch of friends. I think the next family gathering's going to be hell. My dad is going to round on her and I pray that she lives to see the next day.
I got home and watched Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice! This week's episodes were quite good. Erica Hahn, the new head of cardio-thoracics at Seattle Grace is so cool. She's funny in her no nonsense kind of way. I laughed out loud when she asked Derek and Mark if they were a couple. So funny. And when she crashed the Chief's gentlemen's evening - the four attendings had no choice but to play monopoly instead. Hilarious. I am still hating Izzie and George though. Thank god their attempt to have 'perfect hot sex' failed. And also, I am finding it hard to not think of Kalpana as Bailey and Serene as Callie. And why would I picture them as these two fabulous characters? Its all because of Teh Kailiang, who came up with the connections. Seriously. Thanks alot Kailiang, you just ruined two of my favourite characters for me! =/ As for Private Practice, I'm kinda irritated at the whole idea of Addison kissing Pete. So cliche. And the way they are hinting that Violet and Paeds guy are sorta getting together... so so cliche. But still Charlotte King's insomnia problem was funny! And Dell's crush on Naomi - seriously getting borderline freaky and stalker like. But the cases in Private Practice seem to have a stronger impact on the viewer - the woman with Huntington's Disease was particularly inspiring.
I know everyone's busy and stressed right now. Well, work hard people! But please take the time off and play hard as well. Remember, as future doctors, we have to take good care of our health, and remember, mental psychological health is indeed, one aspect of health as well. It is important to ensure holistic development of one's self, so as to ensure that holistic care can be given to our future patients. So yeah, work hard and play hard. Its the last weekend to the first hurdle of the M2 year, and we are going cross it - together, hand-in-hand, like some scene out of the freakin' musical called Wizard of Oz. So we'll hold hands, and skip along the Yellow brick road, singing 'We are off, we are off, to see the Wizard of Oz!' TOGETHER. Yup. Lets have a toast to that.
Name: voldemort33
XY, 01/06/1987, s'porean typical geminian free-thinker moody & eccentric thinks far too much for his own good med student (be afraid. be very afraid!) demon45_6f@hotmail.com
crazy craves
music (jazz, rock and lounge) day-dreaming drawing & photography animals (sheep!) chocolate and tea! seafood, noodles and soup!
pet peeves
noisy crowds over-possessive, insecure, whiny people two-faced hypocrites housework and homework being called 'rich' rushing to do stuff crying, pesky kids
deepest darkest desires! (aka wishlist!)
to be a doctor (with a heart of gold!) a dog my own condo apartment a driving license and my own four wheel drive my own comic line someone to hug
