Well, my journey has just about reached its end. I have spent a wonderful last couple of days relaxing in Penang and eating as much of the food as I could, hehe!! Had a lovely night in Batu Ferringhi, enjoying the beach and the night markets. Made my way back to KL today and am now hanging out in Starbucks waiting for my flight home!! I just want to thank all of you who have followed my journey. Thanks for reading, thanks for your support, and for those who pray, thank for that too!! It's been a truly amazing experience, and I'm truly thankful for every second, both the tough times and the great once!! Thanks to all of my Malaysian friends...you've been awesome!! And to all my Aussie ones, can't wait to see you soon!! To those who've been following along in NZ and the U.S. - miss you guys like crazy and wish I could see you too!!
Anyway, so excited to be heading home, but feeling quite sad about leaving behind the country that's been my home for 9weeks!! Thanks for reading and following my journey!!
God bless!
Love Aimee
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Nearing the end of my journey..
Well, who would've believed it?? I've only got a few more days left in Malaysia before I head home!! I said goodbye to my good friends in Seremban yesterday, after a crazy last evening spent in Port Dickson. Post Dickson is about 1/2hr from Seremban and is right on the coast (hence the 'port' bit ;p). We had dinner there, and then walked straight through a very fancy hotel to the beach for awhile! It was a lot of fun and the best way to spend my last weekend with friends. I'm so grateful for things like email, facebook and skype...hopefully we'll be able to keep in contact after I'm gone!
Yesterday I took the long bus journey from Seremban to Penang. It probably wouldn't have taken as long as it did (about 7hrs) if we didn't make as many stops as we did, hehe. Oh well, it was still a nice trip. Once I arrived at the main bus terminal in Penang, I took a local bus to get closer to my hotel. Unfortunately, I missed my stop and went a little too far. I tried to walk back but I didn't have a map, so in the end caught a taxi to my hotel. Was a bit of a shame as I was trying to avoid using taxis because they overcharge, but it was only a short distance and my backpack was pretty heavy, hehe!! Checked into my hotel last night with no real dramas and went out to get some dinner and snacks before enjoying a nice night in!! This morning after breakfast I walked all over Georgetown, looking at all of the old buildings, fishing shanty villages and the port. Took heaps of photos that probably only I will appreciate, but tried really hard to capture some of the culture here!! My friends in Seremban gave me a list of foods to eat and places to visit. I have crossed off one of the meals at lunchtime (Hokkien Mee, although I had the soup version...I think they wanted me to have the dry version, oh well), and hope to cross off another tonight when I head to one of the main tourist strips where apparently the food and markets are good!! Feels like a summer holiday now...enjoying the heat a lot more than I did when I was wearing a white coat on non-airconditioned wards, hehe!! I've also had time to swim in the hotel pool and relax and read my books, which has been great!! I'm really enjoying my time here, I think just because I can finally relax and not study for a week. It's kind of weird to be a tourist on your own though...it would definitely be a lot more fun with company!! Oh well. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have a bit of a holiday before heading home and getting straight back into the study!
Anyway, taking some time out in Starbucks to use the internet, which is unfortunately not working at the hotel at the moment! Just thought I'd check in and let everyone know I arrived safely in Penang and am enjoying my stay!!
Will write again before I head home on thursday,
Aimee
Yesterday I took the long bus journey from Seremban to Penang. It probably wouldn't have taken as long as it did (about 7hrs) if we didn't make as many stops as we did, hehe. Oh well, it was still a nice trip. Once I arrived at the main bus terminal in Penang, I took a local bus to get closer to my hotel. Unfortunately, I missed my stop and went a little too far. I tried to walk back but I didn't have a map, so in the end caught a taxi to my hotel. Was a bit of a shame as I was trying to avoid using taxis because they overcharge, but it was only a short distance and my backpack was pretty heavy, hehe!! Checked into my hotel last night with no real dramas and went out to get some dinner and snacks before enjoying a nice night in!! This morning after breakfast I walked all over Georgetown, looking at all of the old buildings, fishing shanty villages and the port. Took heaps of photos that probably only I will appreciate, but tried really hard to capture some of the culture here!! My friends in Seremban gave me a list of foods to eat and places to visit. I have crossed off one of the meals at lunchtime (Hokkien Mee, although I had the soup version...I think they wanted me to have the dry version, oh well), and hope to cross off another tonight when I head to one of the main tourist strips where apparently the food and markets are good!! Feels like a summer holiday now...enjoying the heat a lot more than I did when I was wearing a white coat on non-airconditioned wards, hehe!! I've also had time to swim in the hotel pool and relax and read my books, which has been great!! I'm really enjoying my time here, I think just because I can finally relax and not study for a week. It's kind of weird to be a tourist on your own though...it would definitely be a lot more fun with company!! Oh well. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have a bit of a holiday before heading home and getting straight back into the study!
Anyway, taking some time out in Starbucks to use the internet, which is unfortunately not working at the hotel at the moment! Just thought I'd check in and let everyone know I arrived safely in Penang and am enjoying my stay!!
Will write again before I head home on thursday,
Aimee
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Obstetrics and Gynaecology is over!!!
Yay!! My exams are over and I am finally on holiday for a week!! It feels like forever since I last had a break...maybe because during my break between Specialties 2 (the rotation before this one) and O&G I was too busy preparing to come to Malaysia to have much of a holiday. I'm so exhausted and looking forward to being able to relax and read some books for awhile!
My OSCEs (viva exams) were the source of much stress for me, as I was quite nervous about doing them here. In addition, the lecturer who was to take me for those exams was the same lecturer who blasted us all last Friday! And on tuesday, he asked me if I'd be prepared to do them at 8am on wednesday morning!! I basically said that if I had to do them then, I would, but that I had been assuming they would be when UQ had specified that they should be (on thursday and friday), and so I had been looking forward to having wednesday to study. Anyway, it all worked out in the end, as it always does! He agreed to push them to thursday (although they still weren't done when UQ wanted them, hehe), and He was like a different person in the exam! It actually went really well (I think), and I was so relieved to have them over and done with! I did my MCQ exam yesterday, and that went ok as well I think, so now I have finished Obstetrics and Gynaecology!! Providing everything goes well with my exam results and my paediatrics rotation, I'm due to graduate on December 10, which is pretty exciting!! First round offers for internship come out on Monday too, so it really feels as though graduation is almost within my grasp now, hehe!! Mind you, paediatrics is the hardest rotation of the year, and we have a final multi-station viva exam at the very end of the year that I still need to pass; but it's all very exciting. Quite terrifying at the same time...I'm not quite sure I'm actually ready to have the title of 'Doctor' yet...the responsibility that comes with that is very scary!
Anyway, I can't quite believe that my rotation here is over!! There have been so many ups and downs, and I have to be honest and admit that there were times that I wished it would go faster. However, as always, the time does pass quickly and before you know it it's over. I've really tried to make the most of the second 1/2 of my time here so that I wouldn't regret a second of it. There are so many things that I have learned from my time here, and even my study has been better. I have made some amazing friends, spent time in a wonderful culture, have had the privilege of helping to bring some beautiful Malaysian babies into the world and have enjoyed working in a hospital very different from those back home. Being alone and having some financial stresses has allowed me to draw closer to God and trust Him even more. It's been an amazing experience and I'm so grateful for the privilege of being here.
I'm now enjoying a weekend with friends, before heading up to Penang on Monday. Looking forward to being a tourist for a few days and hoping I can see some of the sights and eat some of the food Penang is famous for!! I know this week will go fast; I fly home on thursday night. Just enjoying the opportunity to have a holiday before I have to get straight back into it. I start Paediatrics Monday week.
Thanks everyone for commenting and letting me know people are reading!! May God bless you all immensely in the coming week!!
Love Aims
My OSCEs (viva exams) were the source of much stress for me, as I was quite nervous about doing them here. In addition, the lecturer who was to take me for those exams was the same lecturer who blasted us all last Friday! And on tuesday, he asked me if I'd be prepared to do them at 8am on wednesday morning!! I basically said that if I had to do them then, I would, but that I had been assuming they would be when UQ had specified that they should be (on thursday and friday), and so I had been looking forward to having wednesday to study. Anyway, it all worked out in the end, as it always does! He agreed to push them to thursday (although they still weren't done when UQ wanted them, hehe), and He was like a different person in the exam! It actually went really well (I think), and I was so relieved to have them over and done with! I did my MCQ exam yesterday, and that went ok as well I think, so now I have finished Obstetrics and Gynaecology!! Providing everything goes well with my exam results and my paediatrics rotation, I'm due to graduate on December 10, which is pretty exciting!! First round offers for internship come out on Monday too, so it really feels as though graduation is almost within my grasp now, hehe!! Mind you, paediatrics is the hardest rotation of the year, and we have a final multi-station viva exam at the very end of the year that I still need to pass; but it's all very exciting. Quite terrifying at the same time...I'm not quite sure I'm actually ready to have the title of 'Doctor' yet...the responsibility that comes with that is very scary!
Anyway, I can't quite believe that my rotation here is over!! There have been so many ups and downs, and I have to be honest and admit that there were times that I wished it would go faster. However, as always, the time does pass quickly and before you know it it's over. I've really tried to make the most of the second 1/2 of my time here so that I wouldn't regret a second of it. There are so many things that I have learned from my time here, and even my study has been better. I have made some amazing friends, spent time in a wonderful culture, have had the privilege of helping to bring some beautiful Malaysian babies into the world and have enjoyed working in a hospital very different from those back home. Being alone and having some financial stresses has allowed me to draw closer to God and trust Him even more. It's been an amazing experience and I'm so grateful for the privilege of being here.
I'm now enjoying a weekend with friends, before heading up to Penang on Monday. Looking forward to being a tourist for a few days and hoping I can see some of the sights and eat some of the food Penang is famous for!! I know this week will go fast; I fly home on thursday night. Just enjoying the opportunity to have a holiday before I have to get straight back into it. I start Paediatrics Monday week.
Thanks everyone for commenting and letting me know people are reading!! May God bless you all immensely in the coming week!!
Love Aims
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Countdown to exams!
Hi everyone!!
If you happen to read my blog, could you leave a quick comment, just so that I can get an idea of how many people (if any) are reading this? Lets me know if I should continue writing it or not, hehe!!
So, Nic went home Thursday night :( , and my exams are fast approaching :( :(!! We had a great day in Melaka (or Malacca in English) on Thursday...one of my friends here, Karyn, who lives in Melaka, took us around the historical part, and took us to try some of the must-have dishes there, including chicken rice balls and Chendol (an icy dessert thing with palm sugar syrup and green gelatine noodles). We had a great time; only wish we could have spent some more time there! I think Nic and I have both decided that we have to come back to Malaysia soon!! The problem for me has been that because I'm here for study, I haven't had a chance to see much of the country. I think we'd both love to come back and do the tourist thing one day. The problem is, there are so many places in the world that we want to see...but every time we go somewhere, we also want to go back to that place again!! I think we are destined to be nomads, hehe.
Anyway, it was great to have such a nice last day together! I've never been so terrified before about taking the day off uni, but hopefully nobody noticed that I wasn't there. Amazing how the lecturers here can cause so much terror! Taking Nic to the airport ended up being more rushed than we'd hoped, but we still managed a quick dinner together before he had to go through to the gate. It was pretty hard saying goodbye. It's hard to be apart, finally get to be together again, and then have to say goodbye once again. I don't know how people in the army, etc., do it. I don't think i could!
Friday morning ended up being quite awful, because I was still a bit on edge from having had to say goodbye to Nic, and then I got blasted, along with some of the other students by one of the lecturers. Anyway, suffice to say I didn't have the best morning, but it improved by the evening when I finally got my last delivery! I still stayed late and did my final on-call...so glad to be done with that and focused on exams!! I still have to go to ward round and tutorials this week, but I'm going to try and study as much as I can.
I've made up my mind to change my plans for my final week overseas. I was supposed to be traveling to Phnom Penh next Saturday, but I think that I'm going to stay in malaysia for the extra week. There are two main reasons. the first is financial...going to Phnom Penh will require me to pay for a visa, pay airport tax on the way out, and pay for five nights accommodation, not to mention airport transfers and tuk-tuk journeys!! If I stay here, I can stay with friends or in my apartment for the weekend, and then head up to Penang for 3 nights, therefore only paying for 3 nights accommodation, no visa, no airport tax. The second reason, is it gives me the chance to see another part of Malaysia while I'm here. I was already flying back through Malaysia on the way out, so my flight home will not change. One of my flights to Phnom Penh was free, and the other was only about $30, so I'm not losing much money by not going. Of course, I still want to go to Phnom Penh, but I think I'm going to wait until my friends are living there, or at least until Nic can come too. Either way, I'm just looking forward to that week so I can finally have a holiday!! So stressed about my exams...it'll be nice to just sleep and read and relax for a week (especially as I have paeds next!!)
Anyway, this week will basically be the same as every other, except that I have exams on thursday and friday, hehe!! Looking forward to my exams being over, and desperately hoping that my time here has prepared me sufficiently!!
Anyway, gotta get back to the books!! :)
P.S. Don't forget to put a quick comment!!
If you happen to read my blog, could you leave a quick comment, just so that I can get an idea of how many people (if any) are reading this? Lets me know if I should continue writing it or not, hehe!!
So, Nic went home Thursday night :( , and my exams are fast approaching :( :(!! We had a great day in Melaka (or Malacca in English) on Thursday...one of my friends here, Karyn, who lives in Melaka, took us around the historical part, and took us to try some of the must-have dishes there, including chicken rice balls and Chendol (an icy dessert thing with palm sugar syrup and green gelatine noodles). We had a great time; only wish we could have spent some more time there! I think Nic and I have both decided that we have to come back to Malaysia soon!! The problem for me has been that because I'm here for study, I haven't had a chance to see much of the country. I think we'd both love to come back and do the tourist thing one day. The problem is, there are so many places in the world that we want to see...but every time we go somewhere, we also want to go back to that place again!! I think we are destined to be nomads, hehe.
Anyway, it was great to have such a nice last day together! I've never been so terrified before about taking the day off uni, but hopefully nobody noticed that I wasn't there. Amazing how the lecturers here can cause so much terror! Taking Nic to the airport ended up being more rushed than we'd hoped, but we still managed a quick dinner together before he had to go through to the gate. It was pretty hard saying goodbye. It's hard to be apart, finally get to be together again, and then have to say goodbye once again. I don't know how people in the army, etc., do it. I don't think i could!
Friday morning ended up being quite awful, because I was still a bit on edge from having had to say goodbye to Nic, and then I got blasted, along with some of the other students by one of the lecturers. Anyway, suffice to say I didn't have the best morning, but it improved by the evening when I finally got my last delivery! I still stayed late and did my final on-call...so glad to be done with that and focused on exams!! I still have to go to ward round and tutorials this week, but I'm going to try and study as much as I can.
I've made up my mind to change my plans for my final week overseas. I was supposed to be traveling to Phnom Penh next Saturday, but I think that I'm going to stay in malaysia for the extra week. There are two main reasons. the first is financial...going to Phnom Penh will require me to pay for a visa, pay airport tax on the way out, and pay for five nights accommodation, not to mention airport transfers and tuk-tuk journeys!! If I stay here, I can stay with friends or in my apartment for the weekend, and then head up to Penang for 3 nights, therefore only paying for 3 nights accommodation, no visa, no airport tax. The second reason, is it gives me the chance to see another part of Malaysia while I'm here. I was already flying back through Malaysia on the way out, so my flight home will not change. One of my flights to Phnom Penh was free, and the other was only about $30, so I'm not losing much money by not going. Of course, I still want to go to Phnom Penh, but I think I'm going to wait until my friends are living there, or at least until Nic can come too. Either way, I'm just looking forward to that week so I can finally have a holiday!! So stressed about my exams...it'll be nice to just sleep and read and relax for a week (especially as I have paeds next!!)
Anyway, this week will basically be the same as every other, except that I have exams on thursday and friday, hehe!! Looking forward to my exams being over, and desperately hoping that my time here has prepared me sufficiently!!
Anyway, gotta get back to the books!! :)
P.S. Don't forget to put a quick comment!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The final day of a wonderful week...
Sorry that I haven't written in awhile!! Going by the lack of comments on my last few posts, I'm guessing not that many people are reading these anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. I thought I'd better update the few people who are still reading though, hehe!!
So, last Thursday Nic arrived!! The week leading up to him arriving went really fast as I had something to look forward to, so I was really grateful for that! I've also been trying harder to make the most of my time here and grab every opportunity, so it's been great. I spent the week leading up to Nic coming primarily studying, knowing that I wouldn't get much done once he arrived. I have also been back in Obstetrics for 2weeks now, and so have been concentrating on trying to get my deliveries! I seem to have the worst luck! Either there are a whole bunch of new housemen (interns) tagging on with the other interns to compete with for deliveries, or there are all the student nurses!! Even when I stick with a patient all day, hold their hand through the contractions and get them whatever they need, inevitably they end up requiring an assisted delivery or cesarean section, hehe!! Anyway, on the Wednesday night before Nic arrived I stayed over in the labour room all night to try to be the one to deliver a baby! I had to wait until after 2am when all the extra houseman taggers went home, but at 2.15am I finally got my first delivery!! It was such a relief to finally deliver!! It was a fantastic experience too, because I had stuck with her through the pain, allowed her to nearly break my arm when the contractions got bad (seriously!!), and then delivered her baby in the early hours of the morning!! What was amazing was that she was so grateful to me!! I wanted to say, "No, thank you!! It was such a privilege to be able to deliver your child!!" It's actually really nice to see a woman go from the pain of labour to the relief and joy of having her child in her arms. The transformation in her face is amazing!
I would have been able to deliver a second baby, but the houseman told me too late, so unfortunately I missed out. I stayed until morning and then did the morning ward round, etc., but I ended up going home around lunchtime because I was pretty tired by then. Because of that, I ended up arriving at our hotel in KL about 2 hours before Nic arrived!! I have to admit, I was getting pretty anxious that something had happened to him by the time he arrived as it took him 3hours to get to the hotel (I had calculated it should take him 2); the relief was pretty evident in my face when he finally arrived!! I can't explain how amazing it was to see him. If any of you have ever been apart from your other half for some time, you would know what I mean. If you haven't been married, you probably can't know what it's like until you experience it for yourself. Suffice to say, we had an awesome weekend together in KL! We spent a lot of time taking the light rail network all over the place; and spent half our time in markets!! Friday we spent the day walking all over the inner city of KL, from the KL tower to KLCC. We then spent the evening in Chinatown, and Nic nearly got into a fight with a stall owner over a bag, hehe...just trying to get the best price ;p. Saturday we tried to go up the Petronas Twin Towers, but even though we arrived before the ticket office opened, we couldn't get up there. Tickets are free, but they only offer 400 per day, and people had been lining up from 6am. We did think about trying again Sunday morning but decided against it in the end. We actually went to some Chinese wet markets before we headed over to the towers that morning, and I introduced Nic to my favourite Malaysian breakfast snack. He loved the food and the experience so much we went back on Sunday morning too!! We spent Saturday walking around KL some more, going to some other markets and then back to Chinatown, and in the evening we went to this cool bar for dinner, which was a lot of fun. It was also nice to have a hotel with a tv to watch the soccer, air-con, and a hot shower (three things I have not had for 6weeks, hehe). I haven't missed those things that much, but it was nice being able to enjoy them for a weekend!!
On Sunday we headed back to Seremban, and I showed Nic around my home here!! Monday, tuesday and wednesday I've been back at uni during the day, and Nic's basically just been enjoying having nothing to do! On tuesday night we hung out with some of my friends here, and I think Nic had a pretty good time meeting all of them. It's a shame he hasn't had more time to get to know them. Last night we went out for Seremban crab with some friends, which was awesome!! It was also a celebration as I got 2 more deliveries yesterday!! I have been so stressed all week trying to get them, as I really need to have my 4 by the end of the week, as next week I have exams. I went from being extremely anxious yesterday morning to extremely relieved b the afternoon! It was great. I only have one more to get, which I will hopefully get tomorrow.
Today is Nic's last day, and so I have to admit I'm sad. But I'm so grateful that he was able to come at all, and at least in two weeks I'll be home too!! We're going to have a fun day together today, and then my friends and I will take him to the airport tonight. I wish he was staying until the end, but I will probably get more study done for my exams if he goes home, so I'm staying positive!!
I can't believe my time here is nearly up!! This time next week I'll be sitting my exams, and then it's off to Phnom Penh!! So exciting! I can't wait for a bit of a holiday, I am so exhausted!!
Anyway, gotta go!! Will update next week again!! :)
So, last Thursday Nic arrived!! The week leading up to him arriving went really fast as I had something to look forward to, so I was really grateful for that! I've also been trying harder to make the most of my time here and grab every opportunity, so it's been great. I spent the week leading up to Nic coming primarily studying, knowing that I wouldn't get much done once he arrived. I have also been back in Obstetrics for 2weeks now, and so have been concentrating on trying to get my deliveries! I seem to have the worst luck! Either there are a whole bunch of new housemen (interns) tagging on with the other interns to compete with for deliveries, or there are all the student nurses!! Even when I stick with a patient all day, hold their hand through the contractions and get them whatever they need, inevitably they end up requiring an assisted delivery or cesarean section, hehe!! Anyway, on the Wednesday night before Nic arrived I stayed over in the labour room all night to try to be the one to deliver a baby! I had to wait until after 2am when all the extra houseman taggers went home, but at 2.15am I finally got my first delivery!! It was such a relief to finally deliver!! It was a fantastic experience too, because I had stuck with her through the pain, allowed her to nearly break my arm when the contractions got bad (seriously!!), and then delivered her baby in the early hours of the morning!! What was amazing was that she was so grateful to me!! I wanted to say, "No, thank you!! It was such a privilege to be able to deliver your child!!" It's actually really nice to see a woman go from the pain of labour to the relief and joy of having her child in her arms. The transformation in her face is amazing!
I would have been able to deliver a second baby, but the houseman told me too late, so unfortunately I missed out. I stayed until morning and then did the morning ward round, etc., but I ended up going home around lunchtime because I was pretty tired by then. Because of that, I ended up arriving at our hotel in KL about 2 hours before Nic arrived!! I have to admit, I was getting pretty anxious that something had happened to him by the time he arrived as it took him 3hours to get to the hotel (I had calculated it should take him 2); the relief was pretty evident in my face when he finally arrived!! I can't explain how amazing it was to see him. If any of you have ever been apart from your other half for some time, you would know what I mean. If you haven't been married, you probably can't know what it's like until you experience it for yourself. Suffice to say, we had an awesome weekend together in KL! We spent a lot of time taking the light rail network all over the place; and spent half our time in markets!! Friday we spent the day walking all over the inner city of KL, from the KL tower to KLCC. We then spent the evening in Chinatown, and Nic nearly got into a fight with a stall owner over a bag, hehe...just trying to get the best price ;p. Saturday we tried to go up the Petronas Twin Towers, but even though we arrived before the ticket office opened, we couldn't get up there. Tickets are free, but they only offer 400 per day, and people had been lining up from 6am. We did think about trying again Sunday morning but decided against it in the end. We actually went to some Chinese wet markets before we headed over to the towers that morning, and I introduced Nic to my favourite Malaysian breakfast snack. He loved the food and the experience so much we went back on Sunday morning too!! We spent Saturday walking around KL some more, going to some other markets and then back to Chinatown, and in the evening we went to this cool bar for dinner, which was a lot of fun. It was also nice to have a hotel with a tv to watch the soccer, air-con, and a hot shower (three things I have not had for 6weeks, hehe). I haven't missed those things that much, but it was nice being able to enjoy them for a weekend!!
On Sunday we headed back to Seremban, and I showed Nic around my home here!! Monday, tuesday and wednesday I've been back at uni during the day, and Nic's basically just been enjoying having nothing to do! On tuesday night we hung out with some of my friends here, and I think Nic had a pretty good time meeting all of them. It's a shame he hasn't had more time to get to know them. Last night we went out for Seremban crab with some friends, which was awesome!! It was also a celebration as I got 2 more deliveries yesterday!! I have been so stressed all week trying to get them, as I really need to have my 4 by the end of the week, as next week I have exams. I went from being extremely anxious yesterday morning to extremely relieved b the afternoon! It was great. I only have one more to get, which I will hopefully get tomorrow.
Today is Nic's last day, and so I have to admit I'm sad. But I'm so grateful that he was able to come at all, and at least in two weeks I'll be home too!! We're going to have a fun day together today, and then my friends and I will take him to the airport tonight. I wish he was staying until the end, but I will probably get more study done for my exams if he goes home, so I'm staying positive!!
I can't believe my time here is nearly up!! This time next week I'll be sitting my exams, and then it's off to Phnom Penh!! So exciting! I can't wait for a bit of a holiday, I am so exhausted!!
Anyway, gotta go!! Will update next week again!! :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
So out of touch!!
So, today I find out that my Prime Minister has been ousted by his own party...I am so out of touch with all that has been going on at home!! I know everyone is saying that no one expected this, but I didn't know that people had so turned against him!! Amazing what being out of the country and not having a tv can do!! I think I need to start reading the news online. Anyway, I don't want to talk politics, but I do have to admit that I'm sad.
So, for some reason I seem to be addicted to doing these after I've been on call, when I should be going to sleep, but oh well. I always seem to be out of luck when it comes to delivering babies. At this rate I think I'll have to stay overnight one night, which is not going to be that easy here, but it'll probably e the only way. I thought I'd get to deliver tonight; I spoke to a patient who was 4cm dilated, and was there when they ruptured her membranes (broke her waters). I thought I'd still have a few hours to spend with her and prepare, but unlike all of the other deliveries I've witnessed, she delivered 15 minutes later. The baby's head was basically out before anyone could get gloves on!! It was so fast. Needless to say, I was not able to be the one to deliver the baby. My next patient was progressing very slowly, and probably won't deliver until the early hours of the morning. I did get to go watch and emergency cesarean section though, which was good. It's always interesting and eventful, but I am starting to stress about managing my 4 deliveries!!
Anyway, enough medical stuff; those of you who are not medical are probably already grossed out enough!! I spent the weekend in KL again with friends, which was great!! We stayed with my friend Chrsity's parents ('we' being another of my friends, Priscilla, and I) who were absolutely lovely and so hospitable!! They took us out for so many meals; and really rare meals that you can only get in certain places. On Friday night we had this delicious fish, and steamed seafood (prawns and crab and much more), barbecued lamb and so much more. On Sunday night we had Beggar Chicken. The chicken is covered in spices and wrapped in foil and then encased in clay/mud, and cooked in a big dirt oven. When it's cooked they break it out of the clay and remove the foil and it's delicious!! On Saturday we went to several different shops and markets and I had a very nice version of one of the national dishes, Nasi Lemak. It's basically chicken and rice with chilli and other things on the side. It was fun just getting to spend time with my friends and get out of Seremban. I an looking forward to a weekend at home though this weekend, as I have a lot of study to do. I really need to get on top of everything before Nic comes! I think I've probably already studied more in these 5 wks than I normally would have though, so I hope it ends up being reflected in my marks!! So tired though. I think when I get to Phnom Penh I'm just going to sleep!!
Anyway, my week has been a bit crazy, jumping between obstetrics and gynaecology. Only three weeks (and one day) of this rotation to go!! YAY!! I'm looking forward to a weekend of study, and then next weekend taking Nic around KL!! So much to be thankful to God for!!
Hope all of you are doing well!! Love you and miss you!!
Aimee
So, for some reason I seem to be addicted to doing these after I've been on call, when I should be going to sleep, but oh well. I always seem to be out of luck when it comes to delivering babies. At this rate I think I'll have to stay overnight one night, which is not going to be that easy here, but it'll probably e the only way. I thought I'd get to deliver tonight; I spoke to a patient who was 4cm dilated, and was there when they ruptured her membranes (broke her waters). I thought I'd still have a few hours to spend with her and prepare, but unlike all of the other deliveries I've witnessed, she delivered 15 minutes later. The baby's head was basically out before anyone could get gloves on!! It was so fast. Needless to say, I was not able to be the one to deliver the baby. My next patient was progressing very slowly, and probably won't deliver until the early hours of the morning. I did get to go watch and emergency cesarean section though, which was good. It's always interesting and eventful, but I am starting to stress about managing my 4 deliveries!!
Anyway, enough medical stuff; those of you who are not medical are probably already grossed out enough!! I spent the weekend in KL again with friends, which was great!! We stayed with my friend Chrsity's parents ('we' being another of my friends, Priscilla, and I) who were absolutely lovely and so hospitable!! They took us out for so many meals; and really rare meals that you can only get in certain places. On Friday night we had this delicious fish, and steamed seafood (prawns and crab and much more), barbecued lamb and so much more. On Sunday night we had Beggar Chicken. The chicken is covered in spices and wrapped in foil and then encased in clay/mud, and cooked in a big dirt oven. When it's cooked they break it out of the clay and remove the foil and it's delicious!! On Saturday we went to several different shops and markets and I had a very nice version of one of the national dishes, Nasi Lemak. It's basically chicken and rice with chilli and other things on the side. It was fun just getting to spend time with my friends and get out of Seremban. I an looking forward to a weekend at home though this weekend, as I have a lot of study to do. I really need to get on top of everything before Nic comes! I think I've probably already studied more in these 5 wks than I normally would have though, so I hope it ends up being reflected in my marks!! So tired though. I think when I get to Phnom Penh I'm just going to sleep!!
Anyway, my week has been a bit crazy, jumping between obstetrics and gynaecology. Only three weeks (and one day) of this rotation to go!! YAY!! I'm looking forward to a weekend of study, and then next weekend taking Nic around KL!! So much to be thankful to God for!!
Hope all of you are doing well!! Love you and miss you!!
Aimee
Friday, June 18, 2010
4 weeks down...5 to go...nearly halfway!!
Hi everyone!!
Sorry it's been a while since I've written...I have been pretty busy!! So, what have I been doing with myself you ask?? Well, last Friday night I headed back to KL by train to meet up with a friend. I hung out at her house Friday night, just relaxing and watching the soccer ( a novelty, as I don't have a tv or the time to watch!) She's originally from Zimbabwe, so she was barracking for South Africa against Mexico. I have to admit, I was a bit torn, I like both of those countries!! Anyway, on Saturday morning we met up with her old boss and went to some markets to try to find her some pearls. We were out of lick though, and went to have breakfast at a chinese restaurant. We had dim sum for breakfast, which was yummy, but a bit too heavy for me. I tend to like a lighter breakfast, but I'm always happy to try something new! :) For those who don't know (or haven't watched masterchef) dim sum is actually a way of eating as well as the name given to the food. You sit at the table, and the waiters bring around trays filled with dishes of two or three items. For example, fish balls, steamed rice paper parcel things (so hard to explain if you haven't had it!!) Anyway, there is a huge variety and you just take whatever dishes you want. They keep coming around though, so you have to be careful or you inevitably end up with too much food, hehe!! Anyway, I love this meal, but probably prefer it for lunch or dinner :).
We then headed back to the centre of KL, and, along with another friend, travelled up to the Genting highlands. It's about 1hr from KL, depending on the traffic, and up in the mountains. It's therefore much cooler up there. It's actually a hotel and casino city built up on this mountaintop in the clouds. From the bus stop we took a cable car up to the top, which was pretty cool as we were travelling through the clouds. The view is great on the way up, but unfortunately, once you get up there, it's mainly just hotels and a theme park, which we decided not to bother going to. It was nice to look around and enjoy the cool air though, hehe. We had lunch and headed back down to KL in the evening. I took the train back to Seremban and stayed over at one of my friend's houses here. I've actually been staying there all week as her housemate has been away. It was really nice!! I didn't realise how lonely I was until I spent the week there!! Even just being able to hang out in the living room studying together has been nice!! Plus, she has couches, hot water and air conditioning!!
Sunday after church I was on call at the hospital all day, and monday night after the normal uni day as well. I've seen so many ruptured ectopic pregnancies now, it's crazy!! At least one a day here at the moment!! It's been a busy week trying to catch up on study, and I still feel so far behind. I'm grateful to have gotten through the week though. Plus, I got the awesome news that Nic's coming over in 2 weeks!! So so so so so excited!!
Anyway, heading back to KL now with my friends for hopefully what should be a great weekend!! Hope to still find time to study though, hehe.
I'll update you all soon!!
Love Aimee
Sorry it's been a while since I've written...I have been pretty busy!! So, what have I been doing with myself you ask?? Well, last Friday night I headed back to KL by train to meet up with a friend. I hung out at her house Friday night, just relaxing and watching the soccer ( a novelty, as I don't have a tv or the time to watch!) She's originally from Zimbabwe, so she was barracking for South Africa against Mexico. I have to admit, I was a bit torn, I like both of those countries!! Anyway, on Saturday morning we met up with her old boss and went to some markets to try to find her some pearls. We were out of lick though, and went to have breakfast at a chinese restaurant. We had dim sum for breakfast, which was yummy, but a bit too heavy for me. I tend to like a lighter breakfast, but I'm always happy to try something new! :) For those who don't know (or haven't watched masterchef) dim sum is actually a way of eating as well as the name given to the food. You sit at the table, and the waiters bring around trays filled with dishes of two or three items. For example, fish balls, steamed rice paper parcel things (so hard to explain if you haven't had it!!) Anyway, there is a huge variety and you just take whatever dishes you want. They keep coming around though, so you have to be careful or you inevitably end up with too much food, hehe!! Anyway, I love this meal, but probably prefer it for lunch or dinner :).
We then headed back to the centre of KL, and, along with another friend, travelled up to the Genting highlands. It's about 1hr from KL, depending on the traffic, and up in the mountains. It's therefore much cooler up there. It's actually a hotel and casino city built up on this mountaintop in the clouds. From the bus stop we took a cable car up to the top, which was pretty cool as we were travelling through the clouds. The view is great on the way up, but unfortunately, once you get up there, it's mainly just hotels and a theme park, which we decided not to bother going to. It was nice to look around and enjoy the cool air though, hehe. We had lunch and headed back down to KL in the evening. I took the train back to Seremban and stayed over at one of my friend's houses here. I've actually been staying there all week as her housemate has been away. It was really nice!! I didn't realise how lonely I was until I spent the week there!! Even just being able to hang out in the living room studying together has been nice!! Plus, she has couches, hot water and air conditioning!!
Sunday after church I was on call at the hospital all day, and monday night after the normal uni day as well. I've seen so many ruptured ectopic pregnancies now, it's crazy!! At least one a day here at the moment!! It's been a busy week trying to catch up on study, and I still feel so far behind. I'm grateful to have gotten through the week though. Plus, I got the awesome news that Nic's coming over in 2 weeks!! So so so so so excited!!
Anyway, heading back to KL now with my friends for hopefully what should be a great weekend!! Hope to still find time to study though, hehe.
I'll update you all soon!!
Love Aimee
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