Our Small Part to the Community

It is the final week of our course's community project in Seri Kembangan!!! I am absolutely relieved that it is almost over.

Ah... You folks have no clue of what I am talking about, right?

Well, it all started in the beginning of our second year course, where we were told that we will be doing a community project for the residents in Seri Kembangan (SK). We were not too keen about it because it involves working on our precious weekends! Anyway, this is all for the sake of learning!! *I keep on convincing myself that...

And it turns out, it was absolutely beyond my expectations. I expected that this would be just a MINOR event which involves a small community. Ha! Lesson learnt: never underestimate how small a community can be! Initially, we sent out over 600 invitation letters to the residents in SK, inviting them to our FREE health screening programme. When the response was unbelievably low, we had to invite them through the phone. Yes, we had to call them one by one! That took a lot of effort and time. Moreover, it was hard for some people to believe us, especially since there is a lot of scams and trickery going on in this world. It gave us a glimpse of the reality that to trust someone is an issue. It was so bad that we had to do house visits, which means going out there to visit the residents at their doorsteps to tell them that this is not a scam but it is an actual event by our medical faculty. Thankfully, our hard work was worth it as we were able to achieve somewhat enough respondents for our project.

The preparation work took a toll on some of us and our lecturers, as they had to prepare the health equipments, some had to communicate with the head of that community to rent the community hall, poster preparation of the event itself, and doing the proper planning of segregating the work of the students during the health screening. It was tough on those who were the leaders, especially. I am really grateful for their hard work and dedication. Just a side note, this is good for them as managing people can develop better brains! So their sacrifice is not in vain!

All in all, we really did a good job of making this community project a reality. Thank goodness that it went pretty smoothly! Here are some pictures of us in action!

Measuring the blood pressure of the participants - the manual way.

Blood taking was carried out by professional personnel, we 2nd-year students are not allowed to do, which was just sad!

Questionnaires are the most informative way to find out the participants' lifestyle, eating habits and family history.

Tomorrow will be the last day of our health screening programme. Then we will have one more week to prepare for the Health Campaign on 18th September (Sun) as a closing ceremony to our community project and to present the lab results to the participants. Wish us luck!


P.S.
This is us playing around when there is a little free time.

Don't we look serious?

Forcing a smile when we looked absolutely exhausted!!

Meow

Preparing for exam. Busy. Will not be updating anytime soon. Pray for me! Bye!

My First Experience Visiting a Brewery!

Carlsberg brewery in Shah Alam


Ahhh... finally! A chance to update my blog. Yes, it's been hectic these few days and the problem with the internet connection at home didn't help the situation either. Anyway, my first experience in a brewery!!!! The first impression was so awesome! Before going to this site visit, no doubt I was extremely excited. HOWEVER, I initially did not have very high expectations of the factory itself, as I expected the area to be dirty, messy and plenty of shirtless unattractive guys laboring at the site. Apparently, I need to get out more :P Imagine, entering into the brewery factory and you see this....

I'm sure some guys will go GAGA over this!

There is a BAR in the brewery! There are a lot of brands of alcohol such as obviously Carlsberg, Heineken, Tuborg, Skol, Royal Stout, Special Brew and a few names I just can't remember. They have a whole cabinet filled with bottles and bottles and bottles of alcohol. Actually I am not suppose to post pictures as there were issues previously where students from some college post up the pictures in FB and parents got upset because there were BP (bumiputras) in the pictures with the word 'Carlsberg'. The parents took it the wrong way and say that Carlsberg is promoting BP drink beer. It is a bit ridiculous to put it that far, really. My Malay friends who went on the trip did not even taste a drop of liqour. Anyway, so I apologized for unable to post more pictures. These are a few pictures that I feel is still all right.

Carlsberg's Merchandise

The site visit took almost 3 hours which was a bit too long as everyone was mentally tired and sweating with the high temperature in the brewery. Lucky for those alcoholic freaks, FREE BEER!!!! And for those who can't drink or don't drink, FREE FOOD!! Some people can really drink, they got one pint of beer after the other. The funny thing was that those who can't really drink beer, they drank a little (one pint or less) and their faces were all red but not drunk of course. On the other hand, those who drank much more than one pint, wanted more but they held back as this was a EDUCATIONAL visit.

We wouldn't want harm Monash's reputation now, do we?

As for me, I don't really know how to appreciate beer so I tried Shandy for the first time. Even though it contains only less than 1%, it is bitter according to my tastebuds. Oh well, maybe I should give it another try again.
Group photo!

That's all folks. I need to get back to my Psychology essay. BWAHHHH...!!!!

Carlsberg I'll be there soon!

Man... Yesterday I finally finished my Food Microbiology report and submitted exactly on the dot. 24 pages of report... Phew... I am glad that's over. Now I have another thing to worry about, which is my Psychology essay - 2000 words -_-lll And it is due next week. Initially I wanted to start yesterday but my internet connection at home failed me... Therefore, I will be stuck in the library these days until my internet connection is restored to its full functioning capacity. Augh... I don't really fancy that idea though. I would much prefer to be at home, wearing pjs, sitting in front of the laptop and food is within your reach :P Yes, I do admit that I am a very lazy person.

Anyway, on an entirely different subject, I posted earlier that due to swine flu outbreak (2 confirmed cases so far in Malaysia), there is a high possibility that I could not go on a class site visit to Guinness brewery. As I attended my Food Micro lecture this morning (which starts at 8am, you can imagine how 'attentive' we were), Dr. Anne broke the bad news to us which was very much expected. However, she was able to pulled some strings and made some last minute arrangements! In her own words, "I have made a deal with the Devil to drink Calsberg for the whole year!" YES!!! Instead of Guinness, we are going to Calsberg brewery!!! This is awesome! Who cares whether it is Guiness or Carlsberg, I am just super duper psyched about the entire visit! Of course, it is not all play and no work. After the visit, we need to submit a report which is worth 10% of our final examination. That's a whole lot! All right, I gotta get out of the library, it is getting too cold for a certain warm blooded creature. See ya!

Swine Flu Confirmed in Malaysia

Sigh... it is a sad sad news. One case of Swine Flu had been confirmed in Malaysia today! Normally, being the ignorant person as I am, I would not have be bothered by this sort of thing. However, it is because of this ONE case, I can kiss my class field trip to the factory of Guinness Anchor Berhad goodbye... *sniff* I was really looking forward to the trip.

Our Irish lecturer initially told us beforehand that due to the outbreak of swine flu, most of the factories are banned from giving any tours until the May 15th. If there are no sudden cases in Malaysia during that period, we can continue our tour on May 21st. So, it is such a conincidence that a case was confirmed TODAY, 15th MAY!!! I am a little bummed by it as I was really excited to see how beers and alcohols are mass produce in a large scale... Although the chances are slim, I am still being a little hopeful *clasping my hands together tightly*

Lecturer Arrested (Updated)

Our university's lecturer was arrested the day before yesterday! I do not know the EXACT details yet BUT there will be a protest going on outside our university later at 12PM! It is so shocking! Here is the link on the news! I shall update on the protest later this afternoon!

*Update at 3.16PM


My first encounter of watching the students protest for the arrest of their lecturer. As you can see in the pictures below, plenty of people are wearing black as a sign of supporting their lecturer's sedition act which caused him to be behind bars at the moment. Apparently he will be detained until Friday and this is NOT his first arrest!

The reporters, students and police officers were surrounding the brave protesters.
From the picture you can imagine how short I am.

Did you know how long the students were able to protest about the arrest?

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10 MINUTES!!!!
The police only allow the students to protest for ONLY 10 MINUTES!!!
After that extremely short protest made by the students, the police officers started to get their names and contact details. There were not a lot of people, this is because our university did a very good job of covering it up. Those of the people wearing black, are the lecturer's students! I got to know it through my friend who is from the same faculty.

Below here are a few links if you guys are interested in knowing more.
CH arrested for sedition
Latest: CH's detention extended to Friday
WCH's arrest - A National Shame

Edited 9th May 2009
Well, our university lecturer was finally released peacefully yesterday at 3.35PM. I am glad that he was all right. Instead of criticizing and complaining about the police, the government or his arrest, he thanked the person who reported him to the authorities, whoever that may be! He said, "I need to thank whoever that made the decision to arrest me for making 1BLACKMalaysia a success... Thanks to all this negative publicity, the message is much clearer... Malaysians must know how to stand up for their rights." Interesting... I never thought about it in that sense... Hmmm... Anyway for further reading, please refer to this and this.

Suffering from CP - now that is just an Excuse

It is already the second week since the commencement of the semester took place, life has been so hectic to me. Where did the time go? Now I have exactly 5 weeks before my admission test and I still have a lot of catching up to do. About... 90% more to go? Yes, I am currently suffering from 'chronic procrastination' (yes, a psychologist told me that it is a true medical condition, but I think he's joking). Anyway, just a quick update on my current life before I go back to my studying again.

Semester has started and I have enrolled myself for two subjects: Food and Industrial Microbiology and Psychology. So far, the lectures were rather interesting. Hopefully I will strive harder for my last two subject for this FINAL semester. Yeah... I still can't believe that I am going to graduate in another 4 months. So I need to stay sober throughout the whole semester.

Hmm... what else? OH! I am still working part-time of my part time job. Hopefully I can earn enough cash within 6 months to go to my one of my dream destination. It seems very far fetched but if I can support half of the expenses, I will be very happy. Commitment is the word. This is my brother's philosophy, "TO DO OR NOT TO DO IT, THERE IS NO TRY". He always tells me this. I find it very hard to do that though.

Well, that's it for today. Hopefully I will update more often in times to come. Have a great day people!

Kimberly, signing off.

Mood: Sarcasm

One more week before the so-called mid term break arrives. I really need that break to catch up with all the lectures and studies.

This semester really did flew by, now it is almost at the end of the road - final examinations. But wait, lecturers just "LOVE" to give us 'presents' before we embrace the mid-semester break. There is Medical Microbiology Mid Term Test, Poster Presentation and MBB Assignment 2. Wait! There is more 'presents' after the break as well, there is Immunology Presentation and Immunology Mid-Term Test.... Yeah, life doesn't get any better than this! *sarcasm*

Sigh....

I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be

It's been five weeks since I last strummed my guitar... It's been so quiet lately, I guess I missed the sound of music playing in the house.

This is officially the third week of classes and I am still in sloth mode. Gosh, I just do not have the will to concentrate on my studies. I mean, I excused myself for the first two weeks when the semester started, but this is the THIRD WEEK already, I better stopped being so ignorant. It's Monday and I went for the lectures.... -.-lll I am completely clueless about what the lecturers were trying to deliver. Moreover, I have a lab report due this Wednesday and I am still far from close to finishing it. Somehow it just 14 days I went back to my old habits... Sigh...

Definitely NOT a good sign....

On the side note, life goes on... I suppose it's true but somehow to me, it does seem cruel at times. On the other hand, life needs to go on to mend all the broken dreams and let the new ones shine.

the end product

TA....DA....!
So what do you guys think? We did this poster for the subject SCI2010 and we have to do a presentation on this next week! ~dread~ I'm just glad that the poster is finally done! Now I can focus on other assignments, which most of them are all due next week~! Wish me luck!

Better Ventilation

I'm so glad that it is over and done with!

Just finished our Physiology presentation today. There are seven groups and we had to draw numbers to find out who would go first. Ended up... we are the last group to present. I didn't mind at first but then group after group was really giving me a whole lot of pressure! Most of them presented so darn well. I was so nervous that I had to run to the ladies room THREE TIMES! Once the stress is there, my head start to ache.... I really hate it! Though everything is over, my head still hurts..

Now, I just want to take a nap and then continue my mission of conquering ANATOMY test on Wednesday... Dread... it's worth 33.3%!!! Four essay questions worth 33.3%!!! It is totally outrageous! Sigh... but what to do? Just have to deal with it! I'm just happy presentation is over already.

The Cover of our Presentation, nice?

Strength from the Lord

These few days have been so hectic, I feel that I am having a hard time breathing, literally.

Yesterday, I had a lab replacement session at 8:30 in the morning. I knew that it was going to be a long day. Surely enough, the practical took so long that it only ends at 1pm as we need to incubate the different samples at different times. It was a big mistake not taking breakfast that morning. I dumped lab at 12.40pm for I was already late for a group discussion on our Physiology Presentation that is going to be held on Monday, which is tomorrow. We got some work done and we finished discussion at around 2:10pm. Had lunch with my housemate at CornerHouse. We ate Wan Tan Mee as we rarely have the chance to eat at that shop. It now cost RM4 per plate! The stall seller increases the price... Sigh... Anyway, I got back at 2:35pm, took a bath, prepared my dinner and packaged it. At 3:25pm, my housemates and I went to the local church in Puchong for Video Training on the Epistles of John, 3 books in the Bible. The title of the 2 messages of the day were The Anointing and Abiding in Christ. The messages were really amazing, I was so full of joy as the messages are not merely doctrine and knowledge but they are so practical and enjoyable that they can be apply to our everyday living in our pursue of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was an hour break between the two messages and I used that to study my Anatomy. I don't know if I can still remember it now though.
Finally, when all of us got back home, it was already 10pm. Saturday is my turn to do the cleaning. Thankfully, a sister helped me sweep the floor and I just needed to mop them.

What's amazing is that, I prayed to the Lord a day earlier, telling him that I have absolutely no confidence in finishing all the tasks that I wanted to do yesterday. Miraculously, I didn't waste any time and I had completed what I wanted for the day. The same thing happen today as well. I told the Lord that I need to study my Anatomy, I need to rehearse and edit the Physiology Presentation, take a nap, iron my clothes and wash my clothes, not to mention the weekly meeting on Sundays and the additional Video Training. I still can't believe that I did all of that. It was really a blessing from the Lord.

Half of the Burden is GONE

I finally got through the two tests today. Physiology test was all right, it was the Microbiology test that I had a bit trouble with. It was partly my fault as I paid a lot of attention to my Physiology test more than the other. Sigh... but I'm glad it is over and done with. Now I can focus more on the Physiology Presentation and the Anatomy Test. Man.. there is so much to do... yet so little time! Life is just like a roller coaster, well in this case, is assignments after assignments!

Over the Edge

I don't know what came over me today. I just went on and on and on... and nearly fainted...

For physiology lab today, we did an experiment on the difference of how much oxygen is consumed during resting and exercise. My group and I knew this was a simple experiment as we did something similar to this for our previous units. We passed the ball and I ended up being the subject for the day. All I have to do was breathe into the Spirometer (an equipment that measures the ventilation of the lungs) for 2 minutes when I am at rest, no moving basically and for 5 minutes when I am exercising on the indoor bicycle. Throughout the entire process, I need to clip my nose so that I would not breathe in or out through my nose which would affect the results of the practical. So I did the resting part and breathing in and out into the spirometer by a tube in my mouth was not as simple as it looks. It does limit my breathing in the sense that oxygen is confided in such a smaller space.

After that, I went out doing the exercise part. I was pedaling in a constant pace and breathing harder through the tube. Soon, I found it getting harder for me to breathe. Therefore, I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my breathing by breathing slowly. I don't know why I thought that the exercise would last for just two minutes only, so I pushed myself. I told myself 'it is just only for two minutes, you can do it'. I went on. And on. Slowly, I could feel that my surroundings was getting more and more quiet, until I couldn't hear anything anymore. I could only hear the pounding of my heart, beating so hard in me. Though I was sweating, I felt cold. That was the time, mentally I knew I had to stop as I could feel my body getting so vulnerable, but I couldn't. My legs just kept on cycling and they just wouldn't stop. From there, my friends in my group knew something was wrong and just stopped me. All I remembered was that someone stopped me and told me to lie down but anything that was in between, I am still clueless. I don't remember how they got me off the bicycle..... or did I came down myself.......

I felt much better when I was lying down. When I was lying down, my friends filled me in on what had happened. My friends told me that they called my name a few times when I was on the verge of fainting, but I didn't give any response to them. I was on that indoor bicycle for three minutes! They said my colour of my face just changed, and my hands were extremely cold. Apparently, my brain was deprived of oxygen for a short while, about ten to twenty seconds I think (not too sure though). My friend said that I could have die due to the lack of oxygen. I guessed I scared them for a moment there. However, when I was lying down, I wasn't praying that I was safe nor alive, I was praying that how could I be such an idiot to do something this embarrassing. I should have stopped but I didn't and I have no clue why on earth that I didn't cease myself. I did felt that it was really foolish of me.

I did feel oozy after the lab and had quite a headache during a class that comes after. Still felt tired and weak when I got back to where I stayed. It was only then that reality starts to sink in my mind and I started to pray for my health and that I don't suffer from brain damage. I just laid down on the floor and rested and slept. Feel much better now. Gotta get back to work then... It was definitely an experience that I would never thought that I could have.

Merdeka Eve

Merdeka Eve started just like any ordinary day. Went for classes, felt asleep between breaks, you know, just like any other day. However, at the end of the last class, suddenly there is a spur of joy that excites the heart, as if it was screaming, "TOMORROW IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY!!!!" *giggle* From there onwards, I started to feel rather spontaneous. In the back of my mind, I know that my aim is to finish my physiology by tonight, but at that moment, I just want to enjoy myself by eating good food. Well... at least better than the food that I am used to around here. My friend and I decided to go to Sunway Pyramid for dinner as it was already 6pm. While we were walking, thinking whether we should take the cab or the bus or should we just walk there, a taxi passed by, totally ignoring us. Hmm... maybe we should walk instead? Then the bus came! Hehe.. lucky!

However, the bus was extremely packed with people. Though we were lucky enough to be seated, there was this guy standing at my left hand side whose bag really really smells. It was so awful! I was wondering, "How long did he not wash his bag???" Guys will always be guys... *shakes head in disappointment*

So, we finally reached to Sunway Pyramid and Kim Gary was the place decided to fill our empty and growling stomachs. Coincidentally, we saw some of our course-mates there as well. They told us that today Kim Gary is having a promotion. Any student will be omitted from paying the government taxes upon presenting Student ID card. Again, luck seems to be on our side so far. I don't remember the last time that we were this laid back and relax. It's great to have a time out for once. After chit chatting and dinner, we bid farewell to our friends and went on our way. Before we went back to the house, we made a final stop to have New Zealand's ice cream. We were about to turn our backs on the stall when the attendant told us that it is 50% off whatever you order. We were like, "SWEET!!!" We were very fortunate indeed. *smiling happily*

Came back and after taking a shower, I went straight to work. However, I still wasn't able to finish by tonight. I am a bit disappointed at myself because I really don't want to do any assignments during this long weekend. Sigh.. Oh.. Fireworks started when the clock strikes twelve! Hmph! The fireworks only lasted for a minute... tsk tsk... but on the bright side, I can sleep in peace! All right people, I hereby wishing you all a HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Enjoy your weekend! I know I will *wink*

Thought of the Day

My neck and back is killing me.... I spent too much time in front of the computer that I forgot all about my posture. This is what happens when assignments just wouldn't stop flowing like a waterfall, splashing on the rocks within us, putting us down and crushing our spirits. But you know what, when all that is done, the feeling of being lifted up from all the a thousand and one thing is an amazing feeling! Though it is just for a tiny moment, it is all worth it.... Don't give up!!!!

MSN brings us closer

"GOSH it's so cold in here!" I have never stayed in a library to do anything for more than 2 hours and now I am getting goosebumps all over my hands. Actually I have some assignments due next week which I could start to do, I took a break to chat with my out-of-touch friends through MSN. My darling Sin Ling has finished her final examinations and she is free from all the books, assignments and notes for THREE WHOLE WEEKS! I want to have a holiday too~! Unfortunately, it is not my time to relax yet. I have two tests next week and some assignments due. On addition to that, my mid-term is coming up as well. I need and MUST to maintain myself in a STUDY and WORK WORK WORK mode. Kevin, my primary schoolmate, who has plenty of problems, added another problem to his list, girlfriend. I was honestly shocked that he has a girlfriend already. Hmm.. I wonder is the girlfriend taller than him? *smiling mischievously* Now he had got me curious about his girlfriend... Cannot! *shaking the thought off* Must go back to work!

Music of the Night

Finally finished the article... but I do not think that I gave it with my all. That is always the thing about me, always leaving it to the very last minute. A bad habit of mine, I know. After so long, I finally get the chance to practice playing the guitar. My friend gave me the chords for Eric Clapton's Tears of Heaven. Strumming the guitar did made the song a bit rough. If I knew how to 'pluck' (I think that's how you called it) the strings, it would have sounded so much better. That mellow and sad music did suit my feelings at that time. I guess I was lost for a while back then, maybe I'm still am, but I kept telling myself I gotta get over it and face the new obstacles that is before me. No more playing games. My challenge for this weekend is to finish off my Cellular Metabolism report, which is about twenty four pages, tops. Six pages down and eighteen more to go....

Monash Street Party

Been struggling hard to finish my Cellular Metabolism assignment and finally it is done!!! Constantly doing assignments is making me so worn out. See my face... so darn blur~ I still have a few more assignments and tutorials to finish by next week.

See my panda eyes? It is sooooo not cute :'(

After a long and stressful week, I definitely wanted to have some fun and relaxation. Since Monash University is holding its Monash Street Party tonight, I wanted to go check it out as I never been to one before. So I went with Saik Su and her gang of Engineering Students. I known none of them at all, so lucky me for making new friends, four guys and one girl. The guys are Jason, Yee Miin, Kean Yung and Foo. The girl is not a student of Monash but she is Saik Su's roommate. Tobby is her name. Quite shy a bit. I was trying to get some pictures of her but she was so shy, and that is an adorable trait! Me and Saik Su, on the other hand, take pictures with cars like mad! LOL! Oh I forgot to mention there are cars... let me start again.

Basically the Monash Street Party is like PASAR MALAM but with live performances by Monash students. An additional feature to this party is the Monash Motorshow where there are CARS CARS CARS and CARS everywhere. There are a bunch of cars with names that I never heard before and can't remember at all. When the guys look at the cars, it is as if they have found their perfect match in heaven~ Seriously! One of the guys said that cars are better than girls, I'm like "WHAT???" There are like absolutely hot female models there and they prefer cars over girls?????? I think guys lose their senses when it comes to cars. LOL!

The best thing I love about the Motorshow is the drifting session. IT WAS AMAZING AND SO DARN COOL!!!! When I saw it, there is a desire in me that I wanted to be in that car, not as the driver but as passenger, so I could experience the thrill and excitement of the real thing! Sadly, I didn't have the chance to do so. And of all the drivers, we saw there was a female driver and she can drift! That's really outstanding! Wow! I hope to go again tomorrow but I still have things to do. I really hope I can sit the passenger seat tomorrow night.. *crossing my fingers*

Estactic

Slept for only four hours, my legs are numb after sitting for so long, so damn tired but all is worth it!!!! I HAVE FINISHED MY REPORT!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!