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Friday, March 28, 2008

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#-Update 20 Mar 08

Dear All,

It has been 3 months since the last update email from me, and I reckon it is time for another. I trust you have been well and God has been good, as He has been to me. During the last 3 months, quite many things have been going on, which I will highlight in the next few paragraphs. Do send me emails from time to time to update me about what has been going on back home in Singapore (those of you who are there), and for friends in other parts of the world, talk to me on MSN or write me emails occasionally as I would love to find out what has been going on in your lives as well.

Let’s begin from the last update. The start of term saw a rapid crescendo to a rather quick work pace, learning many new things from Cardiovascular Science to Anatomy. As usual, the anatomy lessons are always the highlight, as we get assigned, in groups of about 10, to a cadaver each. Fortunately, my group did not decide to name ours, as did some other groups, but we did get to cut him up to examine the organs and structures in the thorax. This term, the focus was on the thorax only, so we got to learn about anatomical positions and relations much better than we would have done without a proper cadaver. In addition to dissections, there were lessons on surface anatomy, which were more clinical based, such as examination of the chest and positions on structures on living humans. For these we got to practice on each other skills like taking blood pressure, locating apex heartbeat and feeling/counting ribs. As you can tell, this learning experience has been mighty enriching and enjoyable.

For communication skills, we were assigned placements, in which 2 students visited a clinic each to observe the healthcare system, the skills of the doctors during consultations, interview patients on their views about the healthcare system and the characteristics which determine a good doctor or a satisfying consultation. To add to that, as some of you might know, we had to do surveys about the public’s view of characteristics of good doctors as well. I was assigned to a Vascular Clinic in Charing Cross Hospital. Although my partner and I were not allowed to observe consultations due to lack of time, we managed to interview a couple of patients which provided us very contrasting and interesting views about the healthcare system, along with a comparison with the USA healthcare system. This proved a valuable learning experience that exposed me to the differences in healthcare systems between different countries, as well as how the NHS works.

I completed an exam yesterday on Problem Based Learning (PBL). This consisted of a case which was given to us about 3 weeks ago, and we were required to research as much about it as possible. We could then take 10 sheets of paper into the exam hall to help us. Being all typical kiasu Singaporeans, we as a group managed to compile quite a comprehensive pile of information regarding haemorrhagic shock, Glasgow Coma Scale, organ donation, blood transfusion, patient confidentiality, depression etc. Not only did this help us greatly in the exam, but it helped us to learn a lot more than what syllabus just barely covers, and due to my inquisitive nature, I was satisfied.

On to other activities, I finally got round to forming a small combo jazz band. Well I joined it when a friend from Imperial College Big Band asked me to play with him. Anyway, the name of the band is Sir Real Jazz Group, and you can find the website at www.sirrealjazz.co.uk. 3 of them are music students at Royal College of Music, and I managed to rope my good friend Debra in as well as our singer. We are currently registered with RCM as a small ensemble, and they might give us gigs in the future. Although there are a few gigs lined up for us over the year, we did one a week ago on 13 Mar 08, at the college union. Turned out the sound was terrible, thanks to horrendous equipment, and so we probably sounded quite bad, but the crowd was not listening to us. Well at least we got paid a little bit, but it reminded me of how in Singapore even gigs were usually never this bad. Generally, it is not as easy for us amateurs to get gigs here due to the larger population of musicians and professional artists. But I enjoy most of the practices with Sir Real as we try to push ourselves by playing difficult pieces like Angola, Spain, 500 Miles High, Isotope. You can hear some of the tracks on the website, although the recording that we did is not up yet.

Imperial Big Band has been less active this term, although we did have a Valentines’ Day gig at the Union. Since I invited my friends and the LSE swing dance society, in between the songs, when I wasn’t playing, I got to dance to the swing tunes, so that was a pleasant V day. Also, we got to travel to Bristol for a weekend to perform with the Bristol University Big Band. It was a good experience, and I got to see Bristol, which is a beautiful hill city, all the roads are sloping.

As for Swing dancing I have been performing a couple of concerts with the LSE swing dance society. Although the standard there is really not high, it has been fun nonetheless, and I get to list more dance performances in my portfolio. However, they have recently been wanting to charge me for the lessons, even though I don’t learn a thing and go there solely for the purpose of helping the people improve, and I even perform for them. So I decided to boycott them and frequent the Jitterbugs here instead. While the music can sometimes be a little odd, and the standard of dancing is generally not as good as Singapore, I have at least more fun than in LSE, where there are NO good follows, besides the teacher of course.

I started playing in church services, both band and orchestral; at least it keeps me in touch with my classical training, somewhat. I may get to perform at Royal Albert Hall with the church orchestra in April, which will be exciting. It’s an interesting way of working though, the band. They do not have rehearsals until the day itself before the service, and all the parts are written out, so all I have to do is sight-read, which is not as easy as it sounds because the styles are rather varied. But I’m glad that I can use my talents to serve God in the church again.

From 08-10 Feb 08, I went to Derbyshire with the Christian Medical Fellowship for their students’ conference, which proved to be such a wonderful and refreshing experience. Not only was it great to fellowship with students all around the UK with the same passion for missions, but getting to know the rest of the Christians in the other years in school, and praying fervently and worshipping, was just what I needed in the middle of a hectic term. I thank God for opening my eyes to the opportunities I now see in my life everyday to live my faith and tell people about the love of Jesus.

Chinese New Year was rather uneventful though. My first CNY overseas, and all I did was come home after school totally shagged, and ate steamboat with Ian and his friend. Granted it was nice, but I was so tired it didn’t quite feel the same. Thoughtfully though, my parents and relatives actually kept red packets at home for me, so I actually got some money as well! Also, my birthday on 24 Feb 08 was a beautiful, quiet celebration at home. Being the “resident cook” for my household here in London, my good friend decided to treat me on my birthday, and she came over with 2 of her friends to cook me dinner, which was a sumptuous meal of Nasi Lemak, all made from scratch including the Sambal Chilli and the breaded pieces of chicken. To add to that, they baked me a chocolate cake for dessert; ah what bliss.

God has been using me to bless people as well, which was evident in one particular instance I would like to share with you. I don’t usually read other people’s notes on Facebook, but on 29 Feb 08, I came across a note my friend wrote about struggling with sin. It was non-specific, but I felt that I should reply him, and so I did, encouraging him and telling him that I struggle with sin too. It was amazing when he told me that he suffered from exactly the same sin as I did. So I sent him an email with my last update email attached, and he was very encouraged and strengthened by it. I was amazed that God can use not only our strengths but our weaknesses to bless and help the other people around us.

Right before the PBL exam on 19 Mar 08, I played for the Singaporean Society musical over the previous weekend. It was time-consuming, and I originally did not want to play, but seeing as to how they couldn’t find any other bass player, and severely needed one, I agreed, on the condition that I would only come for rehearsals in the last 3 weeks leading up to the performance. In the end, it turned up better than expected. The audience loved the music, all originals written by Gabriel Cheong. I was glad it was over when it was.

Now that term has ended, I’m looking forward to a 4-day trip to Budapest, Hungary, with 5 other friends. It should be a fun trip, considering the company will be awesome. The rest of the holidays will be spent studying for tests right after the holidays, and the final exams in June.

I thank you for all your prayers for me over the last 3 months. I know that God has been good and will continue to guide me through my long and arduous journey through medical school, and with that, I request again for your prayers for my studies. I ask that you pray that the holidays will be used wisely and that even though I’ll be cooped up at home mugging away, I will still be able to keep my faith strong in the Lord and trust Him with my whole being. Pray for journey mercies for the coming Budapest trip, as well as a good time of good Christian fellowship and fun. Continue to pray that God will keep me from sin and sustain me as I continue my fast for the next 3+ months. Finally, pray that in whatever I do, I will be a channel of His love to the people around me. As usual, please do update me on your lives and tell me how I can better pray for you.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations3:22-23.

Much Love,
Mark

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