Turning Point

I guess people eventually always come to a point where they decide once and for all what they're going to do. Sometimes earlier sometimes later. It always helps to do it earlier, so you've time to prepare, but sometimes circumstances are that not everyone can make a decision so early. And sometimes its better to make a decision later, leaving yourself with more options.

I guess there's no one correct way really. We can just make our decisions and be certain that they were the right ones. Cause everything happens for a reason.

Nepal was my turning point. Before this it was still a maybe thing, but Nepal sort of decided it for me.

And to think, I was debating with myself whether or not to go cause I was afraid of presenting in front of such an intimidating audience! Sometimes if you want to do something, and the only thing holding you back is fear and lack of confidence and you recognise that, then that should be even more proof to you that you should do it. Thats what I think. I'm ever so glad that I did. This has proven to be one of the best trips I've had in my life so far.

It was one of those weeks you wish wouldn't end.... Started with a two day conference at the Himalaya Hotel and the Yala Maya Kendra restaurant in Kathmandu. Man was I nervous. Never had the opportunity to present in front of an international audience before. And on top of that my presentation was rather puny compared to the others. Felt slightly out of my league in there. I was glad to have a support team there beside me though, to keep up the stream of assurances that it would be fine. Bless them. Dr R, Dr S, Dr C and Dr A, you guys rock:)

In the end I thought, the hell with it, I'm here, I've practised, there's no turning back now, so I should stop worrying about it. And that settled the jitters. Somewhat. Lol. In the end I managed to get through pretty well I think. I still feel my presentation was a bit juvenile. But no matter. Hopefully I'll get a chance to present there again, this time with something more significant.

Our Nepalese hosts were ever so wonderful in planning this whole thing, including lunches and dinners and post conference excursions. And thats not considering the fact that this was all held during the Diwali week. Exceptional hosts and every one in the conference came away very pleased I think.

Some highlights of the week:

Enjoying Nepalese/Indian food, especially the Nan, which is so soft and has a slight sweetish taste to it there, Masala tea, and momo, which is a type of dumpling. Although I must say my stomach has been unsettled for the past week, starting from the moment I stepped onto that plane to come home. Not sure why.

Finding my way from my hotel to the place the conference was held. I love the feeling of walking in a city so different from your own and absorbing everything. In this case the walk was a bit 'smokier' than usual, with all the stuff in the air. Kathmandu's air is really quite unhealthy. You can see some of the locals wearing face masks walking about town. No wonder I didn't meet a single tourist on those first two days as I made my one hour trek to the conference. Nonetheless, I did enjoy my little walks. Being in a foreign city makes you feel as if you're on an adventure and who knows what new and exciting thing could be just around the corner? Well. Actually we could very well do that in our own country too and I'm just romanticising things. Or perhaps thats the whole point of travelling to a foreign country sometimes.

The 2 hour long ride atop this enormous female elephant, seeing the forest and watching the sun set over it, being able to touch the treetops without any difficulty, seeing rhinos in the wild and looking across at this beautiful evening time vista of elephants in the wide meandering river, with a forest stretching out into the distance with the sky so big overhead... Ok now I realise I'm quite inadequate when describing scenery. Must work on that if I'm ever going to write my book one day.

The one hour morning flight to see the Himalayas. Will ever be grateful to someone for that. We each got our own window seat, and at first there wasn't much to see... Until we ascended above the layer of smog that covers Kathmandu, into literally, the realm of the gods. Everything was bright and crisp and the snow capped peaks looked so surreal. I'm going to stop trying to describe them cause I couldn't possibly do them justice at this point. Suffice to say, when each one of us emerged after spending a precious minute in the cockpit, where the windows are much much much bigger (not that we hate the pilots for that, they do have to fly the plane), every single person had this enormous smile on faces. It ended way too soon, and then we descended back into smog and the realm of men again.

Walking down the streets with my companions and coming across this young couple, about 13/14 years old, practising their Bollywood inspired moves for a Diwali performance that night. It was off the road and we only happened upon it after hearing music and going to investigate. They had gathered quite an audience of mostly young kids and teenagers, and were quite pleased that we had stopped by to watch I think, cause after about ten minutes they started pulling out benches and urging us to sit on them. The boy was probably slightly discomfited by the foreign attention, but the girl... Phew the girl was a fiery one. Flashing eyes and full of confidence in every move and all that. Made one speculate as to what kind of woman she would turn out to be. The dancing was very well done and very infectious and energetic, worthy (in my opinion) of being in a Bollywood movie. Then after that two younger kids did a performance, and then two girls did another... Wished I could have stayed longer, but I sensed my companions were getting a bit bored. Wonder when I'll have a chance to dance again though!

And last but definitely not least, meeting and talking (and most times just listening in on conversations) with people from all over Asia. It made me really realise how much more is out there, how much more there is to learn, and how much more there is to be inspired by. Vets who work with wildlife are just the coolest!

So I've figured out that I need to spend some time abroad, working and training. I guess the travelling bug has bitten me. Over the past few months, I have been ever so lucky to have travelled to 4 very different countries. And I have loved this feeling of being inspired and being in close proximity to inspiring people. People who have very different motivations in life and where there's a different sort of energy afoot. Its kind of addictive. So if it takes passing a RCVS exam to get where I want, I'm prepared to do whatever it takes.

To be honest I feel slightly guilty in deciding to leave my family and my home... But I'll be back someday. And when I get there, if I get there.... They can always come visit right?

Airports

Have learned to like airports after spending so much time in them recently. Currently at LCCT waiting for my flight to Melbourne. Huh they just opened the gate for boarding more than an hour early, so this will have to be a super short post.

Singapore was different and slightly unexpected, but as usual I learned a whole lot. Made some really cool friends. And got to work with a lot of big stuff.

So after 7 weeks of wildlife, finally will be going back to horses, dogs and cats again. Really looking forward to this placement, possibly the final one of my undergrad student life.

Am really grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given. I am so super lucky and I won't forget it ever.

Off to board the plane!

African Adventures

Its too hard to try to tell about every single thing I did and experienced in Joburg. So I'll just try to describe to you the end result.

The end result is, me coming back totally rejuvenated and knowing what I want to be doing and where I want to be going. When I was there, work equalled play. It was so much fun I spent every single day at the hospital from the day I touched down in Joburg at 6am in the morning right up to the day I left. Every single day was amazing. I totally and utterly loved it. I met wonderful laker people who were the epitome of friendliness and kindness, two of which have become my especial role models that I really look up to and aspire to be like one day. I figured out what areas of my life I need to work on, and found the inspiration that will see me through.

It was definitely a turning point for me I guess. I learnt a lot, not just about vet stuff but also a lot of things about myself, and going out with zoo staff or zoo related staff I got a feel of this culture which is quite different from ours. A well rounded educational trip you might say.

Knowing that I'm on the right path for where I need to go in this lifetime feels absolutely amazing. Sounds corny but its absolutely true.

Ipoh Awesomeness

Just had the most wonderful week at the Perak Turf Club. So so so so so fun. Definitely ranks as one of the top 3 Greatest Practicals of All Time.

The best practicals are the ones that inspire you to learn more on your own and make you enthusiastic for more. What makes them the best are good teachers and a conducive learning environment. And it couldn't get much better than the week I just had. The vets there are ever so kind and willing to teach you, which makes you feel very grateful. The hospital is very well designed and comes complete with a library, where we spent much time refreshing our knowledge of all things equine. And all the other people we met were just as nice and friendly. One of them had this beautiful affectionate golden retriever, and it was just so much fun playing with her every day. And horses make wonderful carrot commercials.

What made the practical even better, was the conquering of Ipoh, which is a major food haven. The ones that left the biggest impact was the beef kuey tiao soup near Sam Tet school (stall no 47 I think), banana leaf rice at the stadium (Thillai, the stall nearest to the toilet), and popiah at the row of stalls next to Wooley's. Other notables were taugeh chicken, Foh San's dim sum, laksa at Kong Meng, ice cream sundaes at a little adorable ice cream lounge near Wooleys, Chemor's Sami banana leaf with crab and prawn curry, and Hakka mee with yong tau foo at the origin of Old Town White Coffee, the Nam Heong coffeeshop. I think I had kuey tiao almost every day, so I'm quite sick of it at the moment. So for the coming week I laid in a small stock of groceries and shall just eat at home.

But the icing on the cake was definitely spending time with the girls. It's just so much fun going on practical with them. There's always a lot of hilarity and teasing going on its hard to feel depressed for even a moment, and the endorphin levels are kept pretty much on a steady high. Wen Chee definitely should have a show, which would be called Wen Chee Says The Darndest Things. Shyla should have a note in history for saying ' Miley Cyrus has a movie called Lobster?'. Vish was admonished multiple times by the aunty selling bak gua buns to not open the plastic and eat it tomorrow morning yea, which we found hilarious. And Vania introduced me to the wonderful Running Man, which I am trying very hard to stream but the line is working against me as usual.

Sigh. Pure Awesomeness. Begets well for the coming pracs.

One More Year To Make Mistakes

A quote from one of my lecturers.

Very excited for the upcoming holidays. Actually should be much more excited its just this heat is killing me at the moment. Haven't done much all day except try and keep cool.

So finally, the much awaited end-of-4th-year practicals arrive. Through the years we've seen the seniors go off on their pracs to various countries and wondered, where will I be going when the time comes?

Fate intervened this time around, and instead of getting the usual 2 month break, I get a 4 month break. 4 months to do practicals to my hearts content. What luck you say? Yeah I agree. I also am very very lucky to be going to so many places.

First stop is the Perak Turf Club with the girls. Have always really enjoyed my time with them, exploring little towns all over Malaysia. Since this is the last practical with the gang, I shall make sure I appreciate every moment.

One week later have to be back in UPM for post-mortem practical. Then back to Penang for a weeks break before the adventures really begin.

During my adventures I want to remember that it is not the destination that matters, but the journey. And that there are no ordinary moments.

Special mention goes to my mom and dad for all their support. Without them I would be nowhere.

I Got My Nights and Weekends Back

So, finally finished my wards rotation for the semester. Tiring but really learnt a lot. Slightly more confident and quite looking forward to handling my own cases next semester. Can't believe it but 5th year is just around the corner.

So, one more week for front office rotation before we go into the 2nd half of rotation, which is also commonly known among students as The Free and Easy Rotations (which begets the question of whether you learn much there).

Inspiring teachers and inspiring lectures make so much of a difference when it comes down to making students want to study hard for a subject. Or a particular field of study. At least you get a sense of where you should be going and what you should be reading.

Anyways, although I thoroughly enjoyed my learning experiences at the wards, I am glad to have my nights and weekends back. My room and my notes desperately need some cleaning up. So behind with my reading assignments (that I quite enjoy actually!) but thats entirely my own fault for getting hooked on a drama series the whole of last week.

Gah its just so easy to escape into another world where fantastic otherworldly things are every day events. Every night last week I came home from wards knowing I had an escape pass( and thus the lagging behind on reading assignments), but now I've finished all my passes, I'm having withdrawal symptoms. Its funny how Shyla was telling me she was having the same thing today, albeit with Philip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy.

Is it healthy, to spend so much time in an alternate reality? Probably not. But as long as there is science fiction and fantasy and mystery and magic and heroes and heroines and villains and the supernatural, I don't think I'll be able to stop going there. Perhaps one day I'll be able to create an alternate reality of my own, over which I have complete dominion and an unlimited number of escape passes.

I think everyone could use a little magic now and then to help us along.

Finally

Phew, dreaded nightmare week over. Having morning and night wards and tests at the same time is no joke man.

Glee was seriously my life saver this week. I am not kidding when I said that I came back from wards on Monday night with a massive headache. So I was waiting for my hair to dry after bathing and just drinking hot milo and watching my favourite Glee covers. Especially the ones with Darren Criss and the Beelzebubs. Very miraculously I found my headache gone after 20 minutes or so. So now I have my own personal wonder potion. Or maybe it was the milo. I am quite a serious milo addict too, so maybe I was just having milo withdrawal symptoms.

Chinese New Year this year was awesome, as usual. For some reason there was more busying about, and less sitting in the room with your cousins and doing nothing (which is cool too). I loved having my family over in KL and eating our way to Muar and back again. Loved being in Muar and seeing everyone. And as usual, it ended way too fast and it was time to go. All of us get along so well even though we only see each other 3 days (a few more if we're lucky) a year.

Then had the usual post CNY blues for a bit, settled down to the test test test routine again, then went into wards, and had a very tiring week. But its finally over, so i can focus on my wards next week, which is so much more preferable, for how are you supposed to read up properly about your cases when you have to memorise facts for a test?

Its such a blessing to have the new faculty so much nearer to home.

I miss my brother and my cat.

I just realised I'm really sleepy.

Good night.