GARGANTUAN steps
Thursday, August 02, 2012
farewell England
I don't have much left to say that except that I've enjoyed myself tremendously in London and Europe for the past six years, and I'm very glad to have spent a significant portion of my life here. These have been my formative years, and it has broaden my view of the world, and increased my hunger and passion to do something meaningful. I've definitely come to appreciate the many sides of London - for every irresponsible smoker who discards his cigarette butt on the floor, you have a queue forming on the right of every escalator. For every loud, abrasive drunk you might meet on the tube, you have a nice, elderly lady smiling and saying 'Good morning' when they walk pass you, even though you've never met before. For every piece of vandalism on the walls of buildings or train doors, you have wonderful pieces of art or sculptures in museums that are free to enter. For all the grief caused by delays and breakdowns on the underground, here is a transport system that has infiltrated into almost every corner of London and it makes travelling by public transport in London really comfortable and easy (though it does come at a hefty price). Here I've met people who have not only profoundly impacted my life, but will also have a major impact on the world itself, and they I can only be extremely grateful for the opportunity to have even been here at all.
Meanwhile, here are my final few moments in England, which I have loathed to say good bye. I would highly recommend anyone to have a meal at 'Dinner by Heston Blumenthal', before it rises up the world food rankings (currently sitting at number 9, above his previous premier restaurant, 'Fat Duck'), as well as in price. For those of you who have no clue who Heston Blumenthal is, he is a self-taught British chef who opened his Fat Duck restaurant with no prior experience, and it was awarded three Michelin stars and ultimately became the best restaurant in the world back in 2005. The food he cooks is apparently a chemical experience in which he adopts a scientific approach to his cooking. I couldn't afford to go to Fat Duck (which isn't located in London) but decided that I had to try his dishes before I departed London for good.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is a one Michelin star restaurant located in Mandarin Hotel right beside Hyde Park. It was aptly named 'Dinner' as in the past, before there were affordable candles and gaslights, the main meal of the day, or 'dinner', used to be consumed at midday. As the above-mentioned became more affordable and available, people began to work later into the day and this led to dinner being consumed later in the evening. In other words, 'dinner' might be served at lunchtime, suppertime or, indeed, dinnertime. An interesting food for thought. To cut a long story short, I can't recommend this place highly enough for a fantastic gastronomic experience. It is thrilling, intriguing, fascinating, exciting, tongue-twisting and absolutely exhilarating. If I could dare force anyone, give the Meat Fruit starter and the Tipsy Cake dessert a miss at your own peril.
Me at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Meat Fruit
A deceptive looking dish where the orange peel is made of a jelly, and it wraps around a parfait of chicken liver
Meat Fruit sliced apart
Tipsy Cake
A slice of roasted pineapple served together with a cream-filled baked brioche
The ice-cream man making ice-cream on the spot
(with a £25,000 ice-cream making machine)
Before I left London for good, I had to meet up with one of the most influential persons I've met in London. Prof Tang (or Chris as I now call him), my project supervisor in my fourth year of medical school, has now moved from Imperial College to Oxford. He's always been extremely encouraging and highly motivating in my years in medical school, before and after I knew him personally. In short, he's been inspirational, and possibly the sole reason for igniting my interest in wanting to do infectious diseases as a speciality. My meet up with him in Oxford was fun and light-hearted, and I was thoroughly taken in by the Oxford culture with its many colleges and close-knit society. Chris still hopes that I'll work under him one day, to do a PhD. I too hope that it may happen one day. He was even kind enough to send me a book from the England to Singapore - 'The Eighth Day of Creation'. Another book to savour in my long list of books to read.
Me and Chris
Finally, I managed to catch Wynton Marsalis (my favourite jazz trumpeter) with the 'Jazz at Lincoln Centre' band at Barbican Centre. Not once, but twice, and even close up in the flesh. Two contrasting performances I watched - the Abyssinian Mass as well as the Afro-Cuban Fiesta. All I can say is that you've got to be there to savour it. As always, with my persistence, I managed to meet Wynton himself backstage after the second performance and got to shake his hand, have an autograph and a picture with him. His first words to me this time were - 'I like your hair!'. He even tried to recall where he met me in Singapore. He's such an inspiring figure. Too bad I didn't get to see his fabled trumpet up close in person, but what more could I ask? Hopefully it won't be another ten years till I next see another performance by him.
Jazz at Lincoln Centre with Wynton performing a solo
Me and Wynton
Ten years ago at the Esplanade
With that, my glorious time in London has come to an end, but instead of 'goodbye' I'll just say 'so long'. I'll be back again some time in the future and reminisce about the past. Can't say enough how grateful I am to have been here. Thanks for the memories, they will forever be treasured~
Labels: Concert, Europe, Food, Jazz, London, Music, Prof Tang, Wynton Marsalis
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
thank you~
Six years in London seem to have flown past and here I am now, packing my bags and preparing to leave a place I call home away from home. They say that once you've lived overseas, you'll never be able to truly call any one place home. There will always be a part of you missing, stuck somewhere you have previously lived, never to be recovered again till you return. And I know that in the future, when I look back on these six years, these years will always be a wonderful period of time of my life. These were my formative years, and they have more than helped shape me into the person I am today. I will forever be appreciative of the opportunity to have gone abroad to study, and I'd like to say that not being able to enter into local university was one of the best things to have happened to me. Here are just a few people who have, in more ways than I can ever imagine, been there for me all these years. I will always be grateful for the support and encouragement that have been given to me for all these years in medical school, away from home.
Dad and Mom
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to study Medicine overseas, especially in London. Without you both, this would never have happened. Thanks for letting me travel the world. Thanks for the endless encouragement and faith in me. Thanks for the love that you have showered upon me. Thanks for everything, and more.
Bob and Sis
Thanks for the love, encouragement and guidance. I have indeed now joined the club. Best quote of the day: 'Soon this exam madness will be over and you will be a doctor soon.' - Bob. Thanks Sis for always keeping an eye out for me.
Uncle Joe, Aunty Flora and family
Thanks for being family away from home, for providing me with shelter, food, warmth and love all these many years in London. Who would have known that after thirty years, your younger brother's son would come to stay with you and study at Imperial College as well. But for twice as long this time. Just a special mention also to Aunty Soh Eng and Uncle Tony (whose pictures I do not have) - thanks for looking after me whenever you were here, treating me as you would your own children.
Mindy and Darren
Thanks for looking after me when I was in Bournemouth, and for the many fun times we had when chatting when you were down in London. You both will be sorely missed.
The Giams
The Lees
Singapore Medics
Great times we had over the past six years, growing together and having a go at our medical education in Imperial College, practicing PACES together, celebrating birthdays together. I will most definitely look back on these days fondly. Looking forward to more gatherings back home in Singapore. And to those who remain, hope to see you soon!
Medical PACES revision group
(From left to right - Me, Ivan, Gloria and Gabriel)
Surgical PACES revision group
(From left to right - me, Alex, John)
Thanks for the many practice sessions and feedback. We finally made it, and it's unfortunate I won't be seeing you guys that often anymore, now that I have to leave! Hope we'll catch up one day again. An additional thanks to travel buddy Alex as well, I look forward to the next one!
Yinru (Dr)
Thanks for the encouragement from afar (Glasgow/Edinburgh to be exact)! Glad to have a friend around to recount the old times! All the best for your own medical career, especially now that you're coming to London (and I'm leaving!)
Uncle Ong and family
Imperial Floorball
(From left to right - Ben Loh, me, Ben Goh, Yoke Pin, Hocks)
Chris Tang and Lionel (and the rest of the laboratory)
For being inspirational in medical school.
Me and Dr Ho
A major influence in my decision to want to become a doctor!
Church Group
Looking forward to seeing you guys back at home!
Mrs Choo and husband
Just had to put this in because she has always been so encouraging towards me. I will always be grateful for the additional hours you set aside to help me out back in my Junior College years.
Imperial Medics
(Top - Mitul; Salman; Chuin Ung; me; Alasdair; Meng Shi
Middle - Katie; Chris; Jayna; Elliott; Joseph
Bottom - Khayam; Priya; Tania; Simon; Upama)
You guys will be sorely missed! I am sure I've left out many others, so thanks for the wonderful memories of the past six years.
Thus ends my journey as a medical student and the start of a new phase in life (at the bottom of the ladder again). Excitement and anxiety awaits, and the journey ahead is still a tough one. Thanks once again for all that you all have done for me. I wouldn't have made it this far if not for your constant encouragement and showers love. It is now time to head home and bid a fond farewell to London. Hope to be back again sometime soon.
Labels: Family, Friends, Imperial College, Prof Tang
Friday, May 21, 2010
pathogenesis and prevention of bacterial meningitis
It's the end of my fourth year in medical school, and it has been the best year out of the rest possibly! Being at the forefront of research is exciting, enticing and exhilarating to say the least! Nothing makes up for a fantastic research group helmed by someone at the top of his game. I've learnt a lot from this laboratory, and it is not only in terms of just research, but also in making career choices and firm decisions. To decide what's the best for my own interest, and to pursue such a path. Success breeds success, and it is infectious. It's been my pleasure and honour to have worked in this laboratory, and my great appreciation to my two mentors, Lionel and Chris. I've made the right choice in joining this group of researchers, and I hope they made the right choice accepting me too! I hope to one day be back again, and I wish them success in the eradication of meningococcal disease, so Prof Tang can finally retire.
Meanwhile, it's back to Singapore tomorrow! A month of holiday, in between a week to Hokkaido! I wonder what's in store for me in the weeks to come. Before 5th year starts full blown into my face. My undergraduate medical studies rushes to an end, and I hope to have the time to savour this moment.
Meanwhile, it's back to Singapore tomorrow! A month of holiday, in between a week to Hokkaido! I wonder what's in store for me in the weeks to come. Before 5th year starts full blown into my face. My undergraduate medical studies rushes to an end, and I hope to have the time to savour this moment.
The Tang Group
From left to right: Katherine, Francesco, Andrew, myself, Bridget, Rachel, Prof Tang, Paola, Krzysztofa, Elisabeth, Yanwen, Megan, Lionel
Thanks! You made me welcomed and made it all possible!
Labels: Friends, Imperial College, Prof Tang, Science
Saturday, March 20, 2010
rushing to the end
Fourth year in Imperial College has been a refreshing year away from all the medical stuff of the past three years, though it isn't totally unrelated! I think I've chosen the right course in Infection and Immunology to have done my Bachelor of Science in, and being in the top university with it's expertise based in Immunology, I think I have no regrets. In fact, it has further nurtured my interest in doing research, and I am now most sure that I will do a PhD in the future, perhaps when I've become a registrar, and will do a PhD in the realms of my speciality. In fact, I am at a point in my life where I have to decide on my future, whether to work in the UK for an additional year so as to get GMC registration (in case I might ever want to come back to work in the UK), as well as the fact that there are better clinical research opportunities here in the UK as compared back home. The fact that they don't treat their doctors too well back in Singapore is another major negative point, but the fact is true that home is where the heart is. I've also got to start planning for my electives, which are at the end of 2011, and I'm hoping that I can do half of it in Singapore and half of it in Africa, maybe Kenya or Tanzania so that I can visit my good friend Ben there too!
Meanwhile, the weeks are flying by and the year is just rushing to an end! It seemed barely yesterday that I was roaming the streets of Jerusalem and now I'm just two months away from going back to Singapore. Looking forward to that, but I'm also deep in within my research project. It's been an amazing and fantastic opportunity to be able to work in Prof Christoph Tang's lab and it is so much different to be working in a lab that produces results and does top-notch research. I think the environment is extremely conducive as well, and I'm inspired to work hard and produce results! Currently, optimization of my protocol hasn't gone well at all, and there hasn't been any results thus far, which is extremely disappointing. And I'm already halfway through my project, which is extremely frustrating. Hopefully next week will be a better week! I've also got much to thank for, with a good supervisor, Lionel, who happens to have ties with my family! His parents used to be neighbours with my uncle back when he was a toddler, and so he knows my cousins, and my dad even knows him from his time in London. Just such a small world.
The next few weeks are just going to fly by with tonnes of activities ahead! Coming up will be my floorball tournament for the South-West League, and we have two more weekends of matches to come, and if we win them all, we'll top the league! I'm crossing my fingers that we will be able to do so, even though we will be severely short of players on 28th March, because it is the start of our school holidays and many of our players are going away on holiday. Such a shame, that our good results earlier in the season might be wrecked by our poor second half showing. I'm really hoping that we will be able to pull it off and it'll be an amazing achievement. Such a shame really that Ben has fractured part of his orbit and will be out for the rest of the season, worse still that it was a training accident. Really hope we can pull it off! This is also one of the very few holidays that I'm not flying out of London to globe-trot, and it is a pity indeed, but I think it's more important that I put my efforts into my project and enjoy later. As it is, I might be going to Hokkaido with my family when I'm back over the Summer! Looking forward to that! I will, however, going to Bournemouth to visit my cousin and cousin-in-law there over the Easter weekend, so it'll still be a break.
Meanwhile, it's back to work! Spring is finally here, and I was glad to have my aunt Teresa and uncle Francis over for a short while just two weeks back. My graduation is on 20th October this year, and my parents will be flying up, so I better not embarrass myself at Royal Albert Hall, and my brother and Lynette are getting married at the end of the year as well, and that's a major event for me to look forward to! It's an exciting year ahead.
Platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station
My family in London -
Front row: Aunt Teresa, Aunt Flora
Back row: Uncle Joe, myself, Mindy, Darren, Uncle Francis
Meanwhile, the weeks are flying by and the year is just rushing to an end! It seemed barely yesterday that I was roaming the streets of Jerusalem and now I'm just two months away from going back to Singapore. Looking forward to that, but I'm also deep in within my research project. It's been an amazing and fantastic opportunity to be able to work in Prof Christoph Tang's lab and it is so much different to be working in a lab that produces results and does top-notch research. I think the environment is extremely conducive as well, and I'm inspired to work hard and produce results! Currently, optimization of my protocol hasn't gone well at all, and there hasn't been any results thus far, which is extremely disappointing. And I'm already halfway through my project, which is extremely frustrating. Hopefully next week will be a better week! I've also got much to thank for, with a good supervisor, Lionel, who happens to have ties with my family! His parents used to be neighbours with my uncle back when he was a toddler, and so he knows my cousins, and my dad even knows him from his time in London. Just such a small world.
The next few weeks are just going to fly by with tonnes of activities ahead! Coming up will be my floorball tournament for the South-West League, and we have two more weekends of matches to come, and if we win them all, we'll top the league! I'm crossing my fingers that we will be able to do so, even though we will be severely short of players on 28th March, because it is the start of our school holidays and many of our players are going away on holiday. Such a shame, that our good results earlier in the season might be wrecked by our poor second half showing. I'm really hoping that we will be able to pull it off and it'll be an amazing achievement. Such a shame really that Ben has fractured part of his orbit and will be out for the rest of the season, worse still that it was a training accident. Really hope we can pull it off! This is also one of the very few holidays that I'm not flying out of London to globe-trot, and it is a pity indeed, but I think it's more important that I put my efforts into my project and enjoy later. As it is, I might be going to Hokkaido with my family when I'm back over the Summer! Looking forward to that! I will, however, going to Bournemouth to visit my cousin and cousin-in-law there over the Easter weekend, so it'll still be a break.
Meanwhile, it's back to work! Spring is finally here, and I was glad to have my aunt Teresa and uncle Francis over for a short while just two weeks back. My graduation is on 20th October this year, and my parents will be flying up, so I better not embarrass myself at Royal Albert Hall, and my brother and Lynette are getting married at the end of the year as well, and that's a major event for me to look forward to! It's an exciting year ahead.
Platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station
My family in London -
Front row: Aunt Teresa, Aunt Flora
Back row: Uncle Joe, myself, Mindy, Darren, Uncle Francis
And I have a spanking new Dell laptop as well after my Sony Vaio finally overheated and died on me. I must admit, I do like the new Windows 7!
Labels: Family, Floorball, Imperial College, Prof Tang
