Last week -
I should blog a little bit about my life...
Although it is exam period, I am going out more often than non-exam period.
Honestly, I do not care much about exams already. I only study when I want to, and I don't feel any sense of urgency at all. Well, the only things that stand between me and my diploma are TWO exams. TWO.
In 20 minutes I will be going out for some free awesome Chinese dinner in a new awesome Chinese dimsum restaurant that opened about two months ago. And 2 hours ago I just came back from lunch at Jong Kak.
Well - this is my graduation week! Nothing is going to stop me from having fun. I am not going to see some of my friends regularly ever again - who can stop me from hanging out with them?
Work-wise, I should be able to write up my results for publication soon. I should also be presenting in June - that would be an awesome chance for me to consolidate my data, and set out my paper's layout.
I am also reading up some bits of my next PI's work on myostatin, sarcopenia and cachexia. I have a friend here who is interested in the topic as well, and she is considering that possibility as her PhD thesis project under pathobiology. I know there is a non-pathology Hopkins lab (I think those people should be from cell biology or molecular genetics) working on that - I will first ask my next PI about that first - and let's see what opportunities can there be.
And I hope that I will be working on something that will link me to doctors! I want to find out how pathology in Singapore is like, and I want to know what Singapore already has in terms of physician - scientist collaborations.
Okay time to go. By the way, very inspired by these people from Hong Kong - these are the crazy hikers (I don't think you can even call them hikers). Check out their photos! HK has everything - and is beautiful!
http://www.wildtrekking.net/content.htm
Labels: Life
Swine Flu
When I go back 2 months later, let's see what this advice will become.
Issued by Singapore's MOH:
For travellers who are returning from other areas with evidence of community transmission of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) (i.e., the states of California, New York and Texas in the United States, and the state of Nova Scotia in Canada), MOH advises them to stay at home for seven days, monitor their temperature daily and check themselves for symptoms of flu-like illness. They should refrain from joining mass gatherings, e.g., going to the cinemas, shopping malls, supermarkets, etc. Those who develop respiratory illness with fever (temperature > 38 deg C) within seven days after their return should put on a surgical mask and call 993 for an ambulance. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.Singapore has cancelled all clinical postings for medical students (according to people who are in Hopkins on electives), recalled medical students on exchange overseas - and Hong Kong quarantined one hotel.
Well, I am still walking through the hospital corridors just like everyone else. The cafeteria is selling the usual burgers and smoothies and it is crowded as usual.
Singapore has 0 case. Hong Kong has 1. Maryland has 4. New York has 71.
This is a very interesting contrast - although I completely understand why Hong Kong and Singapore are reacting so strongly. Hong Kong does not want to take any chance - especially after SARS which basically beat them to the ground during those 3 months.
But look at how chill the Americans are. Even if you go onto YouTube to look for advisory videos posted by the CDC, the guy explaining stuff sounds as if he is not interested at all. If you go look at the CDC website, they show you a lot of interesting statistics and advice - but they are presented as if those are information on the negative effects of nicotine.
The general attitude that I sense is: Yeah this is something new and (maybe not so) cool. If I fall sick, I will stay at home. If I cannot breathe, I will call 911. If I don't have to go to school or go to work, I will go somewhere to hang out. Other than that, there is nothing to worry about. Seasonal flu kills more people.
At least for now...!
Read this if you are interested.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/Labels: Life
:)
At this moment, I feel happy and proud for my fellow Singaporeans.
AWARE EGM 2 May 2009 - Wayangparty CoverageTOC CoverageAnd this is pretty well written too -
TOC perspectives - view on AWARELabels: Policy and Politics
