I have never, NEVER been so tired and stressed out in my life. Really.
Not O's, not A's, not even uni days.
The last week of October to the end of November is just all about assessment after assessment, exam after exam. I'm not kidding, just the sheer content and volume of things that we have to know is just insane. What's worse is that every freaking exam is a barrier, ie: you can't afford to fail. It just all adds up.
To be really honest, I've never put in so much effort into a semester as I did this one. I was keeping up with lectures and notes and it still isn't enough. I don't know. I'm just really really tired.
I love this, I won't trade this for the world, but I really am knackered. To my bones, no wait, not even that, to my marrow. Countdowns for an exam have never been THAT long, that tedious.
I don't know many who would understand what I'm going through, and I don't wish this upon anyone either. It's almost so hard to comprehend for non-dentally related people to why a profession about teeth would require that much effort, THAT much studying.
This is not just a matter about dexterity, practical abilities and patient management. It's is ALL of that and complex hospital politics and insane amounts of theory that you have to read up, on your own. If you haven't been taught and it's examined, TOO BAD FOR YOU, cause this is dentistry and they don't have all the time to teach you, you should have read up on your own.
This is a course that requires you to pull in about 36 to 40 contact hours, 30 hours in good weeks, out of which, 4 to 6 hours are spent in lectures. ONLY THAT.. and the rest, in clinic, in lab and in the library planning for your next patient. I don't know why/how they expect us to do our own "STUDY" outside of school.. I can try to cover lecture materials, but I barely have enough time left to breathe and to do that extra reading up. seriously.
I know guys.. "It's just teeth right?" just think for one second, at the end of 5 years, I have to independently provide treatment for you, in your mouth, for a whole range of problems. We have to be trained to be GOOD ENOUGH for that. Doctors have their internships and residency to make their mistakes and learn, but we.. We're on our own. and you don't want us to stuff up.
I really am awfully tired. Best end of the year present, from dentistry.. with love.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Extras from dental school
They weren't kidding when they said that these were the extras that came with dental school:
1. Temporal mandibular joint pain
2. Stress induced grinding and gingivitis
3. Sleep deprivation
4. Caffeine addiction
5. Analgesic reliance
I like exams, but not THIS MUCH! Can't wait for the hols!
1. Temporal mandibular joint pain
2. Stress induced grinding and gingivitis
3. Sleep deprivation
4. Caffeine addiction
5. Analgesic reliance
I like exams, but not THIS MUCH! Can't wait for the hols!
E . X . A . M . S
I'm exhausted from studying. I love everything I'm studying and doing, but it's getting soooo draining. =( 10 units isn't normal! Having twice (or more) exams than the normal is NOT FUN! Having it stretch over such a long period isn't either! What's worse... exams cover the year's WORK!
This is worse than my A levels repeated twice! I don't think I even studied this hard for something so major!
This is worse than my A levels repeated twice! I don't think I even studied this hard for something so major!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Definitions
"The thing I find very weird about you is who you choose to go out with. I don't understand why, of all people, are you going out with him" - Miss X
Miss X, who shall not be named, asked me this one day. Perhaps it's not only her but a few others who question my relationship with Sherwin, who question my choice. Miss X qualified her statement by saying "He doesn't even own a car and he's not like rich or anything and doesn't earn a lot of money. You can go out with someone better".
I wonder how many people actually think that way.
I am saddened, just saddened by the thought that some people put a price to a relationship. I know to some extent, my mother feels the same way, and we just simply give the excuse of them being Asian, being protective. But I know, this pursuit for wealth and for marrying well isn't just as simple as, being Asian.
It's the lack of understanding of God, of God's love and sacrifice. It's that void, the God like void in their hearts that has yet to be filled. They crave, always crave for that something better, that someone who is wealthier, smarter and better looking. It's the lack of God in their life, that they fail to understand that we're all made equal and special in God's eyes. It's the lack of understanding that when we put these terms and conditions to a relationship, it's akin to saying that these are the things that we define ourselves by.
It's simple. How we define ourselves, is the same very way we define and qualify others and to deem whether they are worthy or not, whether they are an "investment" worthy of our time. I thank God for the day He saved me and gave me His salvation, I thank God every single day that I was given the understanding beyond this pragmatism, I am thankful everyday that I don't define myself by what I do/study, how much I earn and what I wear.
I don't define myself as a dental student and what not.. things that people put to your name. When people introduce you, "hi, this is so and so and she's a dental student..." it doesn't make me any happier, it just saddens me that that's all I have been defined as in their eyes. Being in a healthcare profession or even allied health, doesn't make us more "professional" nor is our status more prestigious. I am a child of God, I am a servant.. being a dentist doesn't make me smarter or better than someone else. I am just a child of God. Why can't people understand?
I love what I do by the Grace of God, not for money, not for fame, I love it because it has been a calling from God. It is my way of serving His kingdom, my way of bringing Him glory. What purposes He has for me, I don't know yet, BUT I know, His will, I will follow.
I love the man I'm going out with and I know the Lord has blessed my life with him. I love him for the fact that he has the courage and tenacity to pursue what he loves and not just any money making job. I love the fact that we both want excellence in what we do. I love the fact that he adores children like I do and has such a loving heart for animals. I love him because he knows me, understands me and even though he isn't the richest of men, he provides for me and loves me in his own way. I don't need a guy who buys and showers me with gifts. Don't people get it. I am not that kind of girl and it saddens me when friends ask me that, because that's the kind of person they think I am.
I know it isn't the easiest relationship to be in, nor the most convenient, simply cause of some parental objections, but I know it's cause they've yet to meet Sherwin, they've yet to understand and see the bond and love we share. I have grown to care and to love this wonderful man in my life. I do deserve better, I know that, and that's why I'm thankful that God has given me His best. I'm not going to define and qualify my relationship based on the terms of the world.. My T&Cs have been fulfilled and upheld in His name!
Miss X, who shall not be named, asked me this one day. Perhaps it's not only her but a few others who question my relationship with Sherwin, who question my choice. Miss X qualified her statement by saying "He doesn't even own a car and he's not like rich or anything and doesn't earn a lot of money. You can go out with someone better".
I wonder how many people actually think that way.
I am saddened, just saddened by the thought that some people put a price to a relationship. I know to some extent, my mother feels the same way, and we just simply give the excuse of them being Asian, being protective. But I know, this pursuit for wealth and for marrying well isn't just as simple as, being Asian.
It's the lack of understanding of God, of God's love and sacrifice. It's that void, the God like void in their hearts that has yet to be filled. They crave, always crave for that something better, that someone who is wealthier, smarter and better looking. It's the lack of God in their life, that they fail to understand that we're all made equal and special in God's eyes. It's the lack of understanding that when we put these terms and conditions to a relationship, it's akin to saying that these are the things that we define ourselves by.
It's simple. How we define ourselves, is the same very way we define and qualify others and to deem whether they are worthy or not, whether they are an "investment" worthy of our time. I thank God for the day He saved me and gave me His salvation, I thank God every single day that I was given the understanding beyond this pragmatism, I am thankful everyday that I don't define myself by what I do/study, how much I earn and what I wear.
I don't define myself as a dental student and what not.. things that people put to your name. When people introduce you, "hi, this is so and so and she's a dental student..." it doesn't make me any happier, it just saddens me that that's all I have been defined as in their eyes. Being in a healthcare profession or even allied health, doesn't make us more "professional" nor is our status more prestigious. I am a child of God, I am a servant.. being a dentist doesn't make me smarter or better than someone else. I am just a child of God. Why can't people understand?
I love what I do by the Grace of God, not for money, not for fame, I love it because it has been a calling from God. It is my way of serving His kingdom, my way of bringing Him glory. What purposes He has for me, I don't know yet, BUT I know, His will, I will follow.
I love the man I'm going out with and I know the Lord has blessed my life with him. I love him for the fact that he has the courage and tenacity to pursue what he loves and not just any money making job. I love the fact that we both want excellence in what we do. I love the fact that he adores children like I do and has such a loving heart for animals. I love him because he knows me, understands me and even though he isn't the richest of men, he provides for me and loves me in his own way. I don't need a guy who buys and showers me with gifts. Don't people get it. I am not that kind of girl and it saddens me when friends ask me that, because that's the kind of person they think I am.
I know it isn't the easiest relationship to be in, nor the most convenient, simply cause of some parental objections, but I know it's cause they've yet to meet Sherwin, they've yet to understand and see the bond and love we share. I have grown to care and to love this wonderful man in my life. I do deserve better, I know that, and that's why I'm thankful that God has given me His best. I'm not going to define and qualify my relationship based on the terms of the world.. My T&Cs have been fulfilled and upheld in His name!
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