Life in Halifax # 11 - inspiring support group

I remember the reason I chose community clinic is because I want to have more exposure on community health promotion like support groups or any campaign. After 1 week plus in the community clinic, finally I've got the chance to experience one of the support groups.

 It's a group for people who are dealing with mental illness and addiction. When I went in, most of them were preparing coffee or tea for the following session. I was told that this is their routine, having some snacks and coffee/tea before session starts. Today, the social worker, N, made a new rule which is to hope that everyone could stay in the room till the session ends instead of going in and out of the room. Not to restrict anyone's activity, but to help them to build up self-discipline I guess.  

However, there, I see people supporting each other, learning to cope better with their life, offering help to each other, talk and listen to each other and love. Some described that they have found another family in the group. They are all lovely people. 

This week is a topic week. So someone from addiction group, D, was invited to give them a little talk. I would say that it was more interactive than I have expected. They are just so great and some even think of supporting people around them. I'm seriously impressive. 

After the session ended, D gave everyone a small inspiring gift. 

Life is not easy, I know. But, do keep your dreams alive! 

They keep us motivated and always lead us to a better future.  

Life in Halifax #10 - Introduction to clerkship

Class started and class ended. In just 3 weeks of introduction to clerkship, I feel that I have experienced a lot new things. For sure, one of them is meeting new people, the locals! I have to admit that I'm not good in making new friends=( However, a lot of them have made me feel so warm and welcome, especially D, who offer me a ride, S who walked back with me, J and R who took initiative to talk to us and some others friendly classmates. Thank you very much, sometimes things that people do subconsciously just matter so much to me. 

I am amazed by my new classmates who are married and some of them even have children, yet they are still studying hard in medical schools to be a doctor. I guess they must be having a very good attitude or thoughts towards learning to achieve their dreams. I want to learn their passions towards medicine from them.

Gambateh in psychiatry rotations!!! =)) 

Life in Halifax #9 - Sir Sandford Fleming Park

Enjoyed my afternoon in another park called Sir Sandford Fleming Park. Lucky me, I saw a wedding ceremony in the park. So sweet, so romantic~~

There is a tower called Dingle tower in the park. I didn't know how tall it is though. However, it was not a difficult climb to get to the top of the tower to view the breathtaking scene. 

Here are some pictures to share =)

This is the entrance of the park. It took me a while to really get into the park. 

This is the Dingle Tower, from far. 

View from Dingle Tower. 

Nova Scotia flag in strong cozy wind. 

The staircase in the tower. 

The front of the tower. 

This is everywhere in the park, but I don't know what it is...

Signboards have been very helpful for people who lost easily like me. 

  

I saw squirrels in the park, tried to take photo of the squirrels but failed =( They are too afraid of me. 

Life in Halifax #8 - Fisherman's Cove

I went to Fisherman's Cove in Dartmouth. I really like the shops there. They are very colourful and the decoration of the shops is very beautiful. I wish I could buy something from every shop. Haha!!

Let pictures speak the words! 

Some flowers I saw on the way to Fisherman's Cove

Saw this outside a house. I think this is part of the decoration of the owner's garden. 

Finally, I have reached Fisherman's Cove

One of the beautiful shops.

Another nice decoration 

The colourful shops.

Enjoyed a popsicle on this sunny day!

Just a turn at the broadwalk, a lot people fish there.

And someone caught fishes!! 

Planned to go to a beach after going Fisherman's Cove at first but I had spent too much time there, so it was quite late. But I will go to the beach next time. Maybe next summer? =))

Life in Halifax #7 - Point Pleasant Park

Officially, my break has ended! Today is the last day and I'm not going anywhere because I have to prepare for tomorrow. Actually there's nothing to prepare. Haha!! Here comes Med 3 Clerkship, the first year of my clinical years! 

I have been to a few day trips within this 1-week-break and they are so so so fun. The main purpose of day trips mainly is to brush up my photography skills and to walk in the nature! 

Here are some of the photos I took in Point Pleasant Park!

I had a surprises in Point Pleasant Park and I have never thought that a park can be so nice. And I watched sunset there. It might not be the best place to watch sunset, but I have enjoyed it very much! 

The entrance of the park.

Berries is everywhere in the park. 

My red bag which has accompanied me for a few trips.

A big anchor statue in the park!

Sunset~~

more photos @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/100132610@N03/

You are welcome to give any comments regarding to my photography skill =)

Life in Halifax #6 - Observership and End of Link Program

This is a late post. My observership was in July actually. Observership basically means that shadowing a doctor in hospital and whether we have the chance to see patients on our own depends on the doctor we shadow. 

There were up and down during my observership as expected. What I didn't expect was the feedback from the second doctor I followed. I was told that I was like a Med 1 student for her. (I'm Med3!!) That was really depressing. I did what I could to impress her after getting such feedback. At the end of the week following her, finally she sees me differently and told me that I will do well in my coming clinical year. Seriously, UP and DOWN.....

That was Pediatrics clinics. 

After that I did 6 days in Emergency department. I did both day shifts and night shifts and I enjoyed a lot a lot a lot. It was so fun that I saw patients on my own and I can see improvement on my skills after 6 days. The doctor has been very nice, helping me a lot, teaching me a lot. Thanks! 

Within the 6 days, I was scolded by patients, praised by patients' and patient's family members, confused by patients, rejected by patients and met patients who hid their stories from me as well. Some patients are really difficult but at the same time, they somehow made my day an interesting one. It's a very good challenge for me and all these patients have somehow been my motivation to be a better person or better doctor in the future. 

Believe in being STRONG when everything seems to be going wrong.

Believe that HAPPY girls are the PRETTIEST girls.

Believe that tomorrow is another day.

Believe in MIRACLES! 

So there comes end of my link program! HOORAY!! =)) 

Gambateh !!

Bad and good things happen everyday, all we have to do is to keep ourselves optimistic and continue fighting!!! 

Life in Halifax #5 - I'm sorry, old man..

So I have been here for 2 months ++. Some people were asking me whether there is any culture shocks that I have encountered so far. Erm, I would say that sharing toilet with guys is one of the culture shocks so far. 

Today I have encountered another culture shock. Maybe for some people, they wouldn't think that this incidence is considered a culture shock. Because it's getting more common in many other Asian countries as well. 

There was this man get off his bike and approached me while I was walking on the street. I didn't stop just to talk to him so he walked with his bike with me. We started talking for a while and at that moment, I felt okay about it. After a while, he suddenly asked to walk me home. I refused for a few times yet he insisted to walk me back. And he even asked whether there is anyone at home. It was so so so so scary.....I was so concerned about me and my roommates' safety. 

Luckily on the way back, there is a shop and to get into the shop, you have to walk a few steps of the staircase, so it might be inconvenient for him to bring his bike with him. And predictably, he stopped there. 

After I said goodbye to him,

"Sorry if I have scared you.." He said. 

I feel so guilty after he said this. 

He mentioned in our conversation that he lives alone with his cat. Maybe he just wanted to find someone to talk to in this boring town? He mentioned that since he had nothing to do, so why don't he walk me back as a company. Maybe he just wanted to accompany me since I was alone. He mentioned that he is a psychologist. Maybe it's hard to make friends to be someone treating a condition which a lot people have stigma and discrimination. 

I have a lot reasons at first to be scared of due to our safety. Yet, I have also a lot reasons to feel guilty with. 

Did I just hurt a good person? I think I somehow did. 

I'm sorry, old man.. 

Life in Halifax #4 - A box of food from HOME!

At this moment, I'm drinking a cup of MILO here.

I finally received the very first thing from my home and it's a big thing! A really big one! Everything inside the box is my favourite! 

I'm enjoying my hot Milo!! 

The box that was full of food! Thanks FedEx! I received in 5 days! 

Made in Malaysia!! 

Maggi Asam Lasak is my favorite instant noodle!! 

Chipsmore double choc, all time favourite snacks!! 

Checkup White Coffee from HOME!! 

Ah Huat White Coffee! Low fat =.= 

Cotton budssssssssss!! 

Biscuits, instant noodles, beverages, cotton buds......

I never know that I miss home so much until I received all these food. 

Thanks so much, ENG JIA CHUI!! I really feel blessed having you with me always always always~~ 

The grandma and her cat

Here I share a link with you. It's an article about a photographer, Miyoko Ihara taking photos of her grandma, Misao and the cat, Fukumaru since 9 years ago when the grandma and the cat met. 

http://www.demilked.com/grandma-and-odd-eyed-cat-miyoko-ihara/

Usually, I don't have good impression on cats. Maybe it's because the cats always bully my cute little dog, Lily. However, these few pictures have touched my heart. It has showed the close connection between the grandma and the cat. Of course, the photography skills is very important as well. I wish I have a good camera so that I can master some photography skills.... 

Life in Halifax #3 - psychiatry

Psychiatry weeks are going to end soon. 

So far, I would say that the most interesting and the scariest part was the sessions in forensic psychiatry hospital. And I personally think that I have been exposed to things that I might not be able to see in my remaining life and I have learnt a lot there. However, the most valuable part I learnt there is not about my academic but about my life. I have learnt not to be judgmental to people who commit crime or having any psychiatric problem. I wasn't exposed to any psychiatric patients before I came here. I think the first day when I was there, I was a little bit judgmental to the lady whom I interviewed. After listening to her person stories, especially her childhood, I realized that I was wrong being afraid of whatever she has done or her behaviour or maybe her thoughts. 

There is a sentence like this under the person stories component in psychiatry history taking, 
"Find out what they think has made them who they are now." 

I wouldn't say that psychiatry patients have no responsibility of who they are today, but parents and their genes have always play an important role. And no one wants to be called "crazy, insane" or whatever they are being called outside because of all the stigmas and discrimination. I know it's not easy to be non-judgmental so we need to learn. 

Today, we went to child and adolescent psychiatry department. I saw these drawings on the wall. 

A very encouraging quote~ Not only for patients, but for everyone~ 

Be positive, people!! We know how to drive on bumpy roads, so do our lives! 

Always believe in yourself! We can do it!! 

Life in Halifax #2

Finally, psychiatry is here!! After a few tutorial sessions on mental disorders, I find psychiatry a bit boring. =.= But I haven't started approaching real patients, so who knows? Maybe one day I will fall in love with psychiatry? =))

My friend said, 'Medicine is really continuous learning.' But I say, "LIFE is a continuous learning process." I have been learning to learn everything in my life since I realized how tiny I am in this big big world. Sometimes, I'm so greedy that I want to know every single thing in everything. Yet, this is impossible, we are human being and friends around us are always here to help us. 

I feel so grateful to 2 of my friends here. 3 of us are new in this environment. I would say that we have bonded quite well since we came here. Thanks to link program provided by my uni!! Apparently, my English speaking sucks most of the time. But, these 2 friends never refuse to speak to me. Indeed, I feel that they have been helping a lot in my English speaking. I'm glad to have both of them here. Thank you, Gahie and April =)

There are some home cooked food that I must share here!! =))))

Nasi Lemak by Gahie!! Yummy Yummy~~ 

She is from Korea actually, but she is making Malaysian foo for Malaysians.. LOL!!

Salmon=)) decorated by April~~ 

A closer look of the shit-like wasabi 

Fried broccoli with red pepper and mushroom! 

Kimchi soup~~~ with cabbage

This is beef, marinated in olive oil, vinegar =)

Scrambled eggs with tomato and asparagus!