Post-dinner report:

Fortunately for everyone, I didn't blank out. :) The one thing that saved me was... drum roll... a podium! I have never, in my life, been so happy to see a podium! Protection from full exposure on-stage, space to put my script! Okay, enough gushing about the darn podium :P

It was a wonderful evening -- this hotel's ballroom is one of the cozier ones I've been to, the service was terrific, the company enjoyable, and sharing in the happiness of two very nice people, one of whom I've known for 10 years, was a memorable experience. The video presentations were extremely well done, unlike some super-cheesy ones I've watched in the past. The couple chose interesting songs as well, which I found refreshing. E.g. Entering the ballroom to the tune of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen :D

The happy newlyweds are off to Spain for their honeymoon. Here's wishing them a great time, and safe journey there and back. :)

I've got 2 more weddings to attend -- one in February, another in March -- both of whom involve friends from college. My classmates are getting hitched one after another. Pretty soon I'll be the only one still single :/ Oh wait, one fellow I sat with last night told me he doesn't really intend to get married, so all right, I may not be alone in this after all. ;)

Afternoon shift in resus today. There're 2 MOs, so we're pretty relaxed. :)

Watched my recording of "Faking It" earlier. This is one documentary series I highly recommend. The episode I taped had a drag racer named Andrew being transformed into a drag queen. The guy looks like Noah Wyle -- who plays Carter on the TV show "ER" -- so this made for some hilarious but fascinating television. Priceless moments: when he tries on a slinky black dress for the first time and walks out of the dressing room ( he says, "This is so surreal. I keep telling myself I'm NOT supposed to be in a dress right now!" ); his attempts at walking in what look like platforms with 5-inch heels; and the looks on his friends' and relatives' faces when he told them what he was going to do.

But the programme also offers great insight into the lives of professional drag queens in New York. They take their work very seriously, and have a sizeable audience, complete with nightclub gigs and competitions. I really enjoyed this show, and can't wait for next week's theme: Polo to Wrangler.

Just saw the roster for the surgeons on call this evening. I've worked with 3 of them before, all of whom are excellent at what they do, and also some of the nicest people I know. The ER is pretty quiet at the moment, so hope you guys have a good night. :)

I'm on standby tomorrow. Time to wash house again. ;)

9-5 shift this Sunday morning. I'm an hour away from freedom, and have already seen close to 50 patients. I kid you not! FIFTY!!! They just keep on coming! :(

Anyhow, I'm just thankful I'm physically well. Had to miss a very good friend's wedding a few weeks ago when I had food poisoning, but this time, I'm good to go and emcee another good pal's wedding dinner. Stage fright! :P But at least I have a fellow year-mate ( also a doctor ) who's doing the Mandarin parts. Whew! :)

Check out this blog! It's a houseman's, I know that at least. :) I haven't had the chance to read everything yet, but it's always fun to hear about a fellow doc's experiences, not to mention, ahem, her crushes on someone at work. :D

Hey, I've had my share of crushes too, so no, I'm not making fun of anyone here. Some male doctors are really attractive fellows. Once, when I was a 1st year MO in SGH, my houseman caused a lot of distraction on a daily basis, 'cos he's actually older than I am ( he studied overseas ), and is extremely good-looking and, err, not shy. :) But he's a nice guy, and we've stayed in touch these past 4 years, meeting up once in a while. He left medicine for aviation ( you heard right! ), so he'll be flying a commercial airline sometime in the near future. I can already picture him in a pilot's uniform. God help all his female colleagues and passengers!
Then of course, you have crushes on your seniors as well. Registrars, even consultants. You'd be surprised at how charismatic some of them are, even if they're much older and not that gorgeous. Especially the surgeons. Makes working life all the more interesting and bearable, haha! :P

Anyway, this blog is a nice pacy read. Enjoy!

Glaywitch's Blog [ link has been deleted at my discretion, with apologies :) ]

I'll post again after the dinner. Hopefully there won't be any embarrassing moments to report! Wish me luck. :D

Good Saturday morning! It's 7am right now, I'm an hour away from ending my night shift, and let's see, I've had a total of, HA! ONE HOUR OF SLEEP IN THE PAST 24 HOURS! Not feeling too tired at the moment, but I'll definitely feel it once I get home and eat breakfast. It always hits me round about 9am, then I'll be out like a light. Can't sleep much either, 'cos I have a speech to complete. Not complaining -- it's for an old friend's wedding on Sunday, and I consider it a great honour to be asked to emcee. Just wish my roster allowed more off days. :(

This is only the 2nd night shift I've done in the past 7 months where I never got to rest. It wasn't that horrible actually. Just that we kept taking turns to get held up with this and that, thus keeping the other MO from resting during his turn. At about 5am, one guy was in resus holding the fort, I was seeing cases in consult, and the remaining fellow had 4 laceration cases to clear. The highlight of the shift was probably the 40-year-old man who suddenly collapsed during sexual intercourse with his wife. We couldn't save him, and the family was extremely upset -- not with the doctors and nurses, just you know, really really torn up about his death. Everyone started wailing in a rather scary manner, but I felt really sad for them, 'cos he was obviously very loved, and his teenage son was crying very badly. I was the one who broke the news to them -- my consultant was around, but hey, I need to know how to do this if I'm gonna be a registrar soon -- and I tell you, no matter how hardened you think you are, nothing ever prepares you for such major outpouring of grief. I don't think I'll ever be immune to it, and it'll be even worse with kids. Probably the most difficult part of being a doctor.

Anyway, at least I've kept my spirits up with some light reading on the Clayboard. Check out this thread on "Snarky Clay" -- our nickname for Clayisms, which are witty barbs from the man himself. He's super-fast with the comebacks, and although interviewers in the US take it in their stride, note that The New Paper's Jean-Marie Tan took offense when she spoke to Clay recently. This is so typical of someone who doesn't know her interview subject well enough. Or maybe she's just really uptight. ;)

Here's the link. Get ready for some big laughs! :D

Snarky Clay Thread

I'm typing this real fast, so let's hope I don't make another "Freudian slip" today, haha!

Another TV show worth catching: "Faking It" on Discovery Channel 12 every Friday 7-8pm, with repeats at 1am. I haven't seen any episode yet, but last night's blurb mentions how a professional drag racer is transformed into a drag queen -- a definite must-see! I'll post my thoughts after I view the recording. Might take a few days if I'm too exhausted or busy.

Okay then, I'm gonna sign off for now. Ending with more Clay updates: his concert tour has been confirmed to be starting in February 2004, but he will be sharing the stage with, ummm, Kelly Clarkson. They will apparently take turns at headlining, and all bets are on that happening in his hometown of Raleigh. Fellow fans in Singapore are all set to travel to the US to see him, although I am, very sadly, unable to follow suit 'cos I have no leave left, sob! But I wish them the very best of luck, and hope they'll all have the chance to meet him up close and personal. I hope to have that same opportunity sometime in the near future. :)

Clay's Invisible video is now receiving airplay daily on MTV Asia, which is absolutely fantastic! Be sure to watch MTV Asia Hitlist on Sunday at 7pm, 'cos he's debuted at #17. :D And keep requesting on the MTV Asia website, for the MTV Most Wanted programme!

15 minutes more. Stay awake... stay awake... stay awake...
The morning shift people had BETTER ARRIVE ON TIME!!! :P

Is it only 2 hours into my shift?! Looks like it's gonna be a long day :(

Not sure which is worse -- a really busy day that makes the time fly by, or a quiet one that bores the heck out of you. Okay, after thinking about it for a sec, I realize the latter wins hands down. Duh. :)

We've got med students with us once again. 3rd years who haven't done orthopaedics yet. When did rotations in A&E start switching to the 3rd year? During my time, we went to the ER in our 4th year, after doing a 3-month stint in ortho. It helps when you have background knowledge at least, 'cos A&E cases have lots of ortho problems. Oh well, someone's bright idea, I suppose. ;)

The Asian Blog Awards have been announced. My congratulations to the winners for the Best Singapore Blog! And thanks to Phil for keeping the list of nominees on the page. :)

I saw a delayed telecast of "Newlyweds" yesterday -- it's last week's episode, repeated on Tuesday afternoon. ( I completely forgot to record last night's installment, aargh! Too caught up with "CSI:Miami" I guess :P ) Anyway, Jessica Simpson belches ad nauseum, a rather nasty habit considering she's being filmed for broadcast over MTV. She's a major whiner, and even husband Nick admitted she's "spoiled". Don't take her camping! Her sister-in-law, Lea, who's married to Nick's brother, Drew ( are you confused yet? ), is also a whiner, which surprised me, 'cos I once read that Lea and Drew are childhood sweethearts, from a small town, that she's very sweet and down-to-earth, etc. So what's with all the diva-esque behaviour? Maybe Jessica's a bad influence on her.

Last night's episode -- which I saw the tail end of before realizing I didn't set the timer (darn it) -- is the one with Nick and Jessica fighting over whether Nick can go to the Playboy mansion for a party. The wife doesn't want him to, but he eventually does, of course. Caught some shots of pole dancers and the usual bevy of skimpily-clad ladies. Believe it or not, Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, is in his 70s or 80s, but has a constant harem of 5 young women to keep him company. I saw this in a feature on New Zealand TV, and all the girls are blonde, very chest-heavy, complete ditzes, and extremely complimentary of Hugh's, ahem, prowess in the bedroom. One of them mentioned threesomes and foursomes too. Many guys, no doubt, consider this the ultimate fantasy, but from my point of view, I think of it as a grand-daddy sleeping with his grand-daughters. Gross.

Thankfully, TV isn't all about trash. The most recent episode of "Monk" was easily among the best in the series so far. I saw it at 12:30am, after a tiring shift, but it was so good I was fully awake till the end. It's the one with Adrian Monk going to Mexico to solve a ( what else? ) bizarre death. But the show doesn't always revolve around the investigation per se. Rather, it dwells on different aspects of Monk's severe obsessive-compulsive disorder -- this time, his insane need for Sierra Springs mineral water, preferring instead to die of thirst before drinking anything else. The beauty of it is, Tony Shalhoub does such a fine job of making Monk lovable instead of annoying, that you can't help but feel overwhelmingly sympathetic. My mom and I must've said "Poor thing!" at least 10 times within that 1 hour. And the script was priceless! Definitely one of my all-time favourites :D

Another fav of mine will be ending its first season on cable next week. "CSI: Miami" may not measure up to the original "CSI" ( set in Las Vegas ) in terms of storylines, but with regards to style and flash, Miami has it down pat. Before my computer crashes from memory shortage ( it's a hospital terminal :P ), here's the official website link:

CSI: Miami

Or, if you don't want to install a Flash Player, you can go here:

CSI: Miami Page on TV Tome

I like David Caruso, who plays the head of the CSI team, Horatio Crane ( how's that for a name? :) ). I didn't catch him during his heyday on "NYPD Blue", but wasn't impressed at all by his forage into Hollywood films. Luckily, he's been rescued from languishing for all eternity in B-grade flicks by Jerry Bruckheimer's top-rated franchise, and infuses Crane with a simmering sexiness, thanks to his gravelly voice, cool lines and nice threads. Does it sound odd if I say I love the way he stands? ;) Seriously, if you watch him closely, he always strikes a pose, which I find absolutely delicious. :D

My biggest fav, though, is Rory Cochrane, who plays Tim Speedle , aka "Speed". I only started to pay attention to him in the last month or so, 'cos he seems to be garnering more screen-time nowadays. Most women may go for Adam Rodriguez, the guy who specializes in working crime scenes located in swamps, but I prefer Cochrane for his quiet, understated portrayal, as well as his interesting looks. He's half-Indian, half-Irish, with "an incredible voice" according to the webpage below. Does that mean he sings? Be still my heart! :D I can't pinpoint what it is exactly, but there's something about him. Who knows, if a Hollywood bigwig sees what I see, he/she may cast him in a blockbuster or breakout role soon, then everyone else will know what I mean.

Rory Cochrane

Here's another link, with very nice photos. :)

Rory Cochrane Website

Continuing this entry ( it's now 2:30pm ).

Forgot to mention that the photos from my holiday are finally out, and look fantastic! I didn't go to my usual developer at Heartland Mall, opting instead for Photo Finish at Great World City. Does it matter really? Anyhow, the pics came out looking so great I think I may stick with the latter outlet from now on. :) New Zealand is just full of exuberant blues and greens, and I was extremely sunburnt, but never looked happier. :P Some of my blog's readers are people who know me, so I'll show you the photos the next time we meet, all right?

And a big thank you to an old friend, who also went to NZ last month, and who bought me a LOTR T-shirt with Aragorn / Viggo Mortensen on the front! In full armour / kingly garb, no less! Must quickly iron and wear :D

Also paid a visit to my soon-to-be-ready condominium yesterday. Looks very impressive, and I can't wait to jump into the 2 Olympic-sized swimming pools, woohoo! Was told it'll be completed sometime in March / April, which means the actual shift will be in April / May. I have to defer my A&E exam yet again, but only till August, which is when the local version will take place. Oh well, this move will be permanent, and the location is excellent, with lots of facilities. Hope to invite friends and relatives over as well. :)

15 minutes to go till 4pm hits. :D

Phil from the Flying Chair website is busy tabulating the 25,000 votes he received, so the results of the Asia Blog Awards won't be out for some time yet. Seems some writers have been harrassing him about it -- c'mon, cut the guy some slack! I think he's doing all this single-handedly!

Afternoon shift Tuesday night, and things are pretty quiet for once, whew! I will working through the Chinese New Year period later this month, 'cos we're short of MOs, and the locums are, understandably, not filling in much during that time. I don't mind really, 'cos most people will stay away and flood the ER again after the festivities have concluded. But then again, firecrackers are now legal after a 30-year ban, so who knows what'll happen? Burns, cuts, limbs blasted off... no fun. :(

Nothing to report from the work front, so it's back to entertainment news. :P

Britney's marriage / quickie annullment : I saw it coming. Grow up, Britney!

American Idol 3 returns January 22nd: No-one can ever match Clay Aiken, but I'll watch anyway. They've got some pretty impressive talent, but don't expect me to buy their CDs. ( Ruben's first single is quite lethargic, which I hope isn't the trend on the rest of the album. )

Singapore Idol: Yes, believe it! Auditions will start soon, then it will air sometime in August 2004. My mom calls it "a flashier Talentime", but I hope it'll be nothing like Talentime or (God forbid!) the local Star Search. I believe we've got some stars in the making here, just that they stay away because local talent shows are crass and cheesy. So I hope the Idol producers will ensure that the programme retains some class and standard, so that real talent will join, and we won't end up making fools of ourselves in the international arena.

Suggestion for host: hands down ( for me anyhow ) -- VJ Utt from MTV Asia. He's good-looking, with a terrific personality, great sense of humour and in-depth knowledge of music from all genres. Thinks fast on his feet and speaks perfect English. Need I say more? ;)

Suggestions for judges: Mediacorp TV has stated that they want all 4 to be "friendly", with no plans for planting a nasty one, a la Simon Cowell. But that would take all the fun out of it! :P Seriously though, I think we need a bad guy in the competition. Someone who will just tell it like it is instead of stroking the contestants' egos or winning popularity votes with the audience. Possible choices -- Najip Ali ( snarky in Asia Bagus! ) or Kumar ( ooh, I like Kumar! He was hilariously sarcastic on Split Ends, had me laughing non-stop! ). For the rest, it would be nice to have established artistes like Dick Lee or Jacintha on the panel, with a smattering of super-successful singers like Stefanie Sun, even Ho Yeow Sun. If you have guest judges, then Tanya Chua would be a welcome addition.

Another question is: what will the participants sing? English or Chinese songs? Local or international?

One thing, however, is for sure: Singapore Idol will be a phenomenal success ratings-wise. American Idol captured an audience of more than a million during the finale, so if you have a local version, which allows viewers to vote and decide the outcome, you'll make pots of money and the show will definitely be the talk of the nation. Will I watch it? You bet. Will I cringe? I hope not! :D

Local ex-ChannelNewsAsia anchorman gets jail and the cane for molesting co-worker: I can never remember his name, so I've left that out. The case has been stewing for months now, and the outcome is a little shocking ( to me, at least ). The sentence seems a bit harsh considering the crime, but the Singapore legal system doesn't have juries, only judges who have ultimate power in deciding your fate whether you like it or not. I feel a little sorry for the guy. Wonder what's gonna happen to him in prison?

ChannelNewsAsia Online Article

Boy am I tired.

6hours into my night shift, and I've already seen more than 45 patients!? But instead of the usual crop of NS boys, I encountered people from the older age group this time round, and with legitimate complaints too. So although it was extremely busy, my mood has remained pretty good, 'cos I don't have to field nonsense cases. Energy level at 3 am is at a relatively decent level. We couldn't split at 1am, which is the norm on most nights, but we did manage to put up a rest-time roster starting at 2. I've got another hour to go before my turn comes. Pleeeeeease let it be quiet. :(

Before I forget, just want to apologize to those of you who've been waiting for my posts on the NZ trip. I'm holding them off for now, as I'm contributing an article or two to our medical association's recreational magazine. Once I iron out which locations they'd like me to write about, I'll make entries on the places that I'm not talking about for the mag. The LOTR tour is almost confirmed for publication, so unfortunately, I won't be writing about that as yet on the blog. But you can always visit the respective websites for more info in the meantime. :)

I watched a recording of "Boiling Point", screened over Channel i on Friday, which starred Dennis Hopper and Viggo Mortensen when they were perhaps 15 years younger. My interest in this obscure film extends only as far as Mortensen's involvement is concerned, and it was indeed an interesting experience. He looked very boyish, with a bit of a tummy showing ( he doesn't have that now though ), and was a lot more engaging than Hopper or Wesley Snipes ( the other co-star ). Viggo played an ex-con who is soft-spoken, even shy at times, but has no qualms about blasting someone with a rifle or beating his girlfriend. His character was killed in the end, about 10 minutes before the actual finale, but I switched the TV off once Viggo got offed. It was, on the whole, a rather stupid show, but it's always fun to see my favourite actors before they hit the big leagues. Other examples:

John Cusack -- Say Anything
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck -- School Ties
Kevin Spacey -- The Usual Suspects, Se7en, The Buddy Factor

If I seem a little talkative, it's because the queue has finally stopped *YES!* 15 minutes to go then I can eat something and lie down for a bit. The Chinese New Year goodies are available for consumption, and I just bought a whole chunk of them -- pineapple tarts, love letters, mandarin oranges, etc. -- from the 727/717 Cakerie outlet at Highland Centre in Kovan today. This chain sells the best durians, and puts them into everything from puffs to cakes to mousse and even sandwiches. They're awfully sinful, but terribly yummy. Gonna put on some weight this month! :P

Clay News

He's doing very well in CD sales and chart numbers, and has surpassed American Idol winner Ruben Studdard on all counts! Rolling Stone gave a very poor review of the latter's album, Soulful, which doesn't bode well for the big guy.

Anyway, Clay's music video for "Invisible" was featured on MTV Asia's Hitlist this week, as one that's "making waves", ie. causing a lot of buzz, and likely to hit the charts very soon. And being a Clay fan, it's my duty to ask you to vote and request on MTV Asia. :D I'm already doing it, so if you're a fellow Claymate, by all means, follow suit!

His next single will be "The Way", one of my favs on the Measure Of A Man CD. Wonder what the vid will be like? ( Please put him in a suit :) )

Here's the website link:

MTV Asia

You can request on MTV's Most Wanted programme. Thank you!

And... if you'd like to read some uplifting stuff, look no further than the December issue of the Singapore Medical Association newsletter.

Dr. Wong Ting Hway, who was the first Singaporean doctor to join the International Red Cross full-time for a stint to Nepal last year, contributes a piece on her time in Angola with Doctors Without Borders back in 2001. She's one of the most humble and warm-hearted individuals I know, and this terrific article features beautiful photographs as well. My thanks to her for agreeing, at my gentle prodding, to share her experiences with us. A must read!

Ah, it's always nice to catch up with Dave Barry again. His blog's on hiatus at the moment, but will return in full force later this month. His last entry was a 1995 Christmas poem that had me laughing my guts out. Come to think of it, if I could be something other than a doctor, I'd love to be a humour writer -- hmmm, my experiences in medicine would be perfect fodder *evil grin*. Newspaper columns are out, 'cos I can't even get a letter printed in the Forum Page of The Straits Times anymore ( such is the animosity directed against poor me, sob ), and local publishers don't have adequate reach in the book market. Foreign publishers? *the wheels turn* Darn exam. Sidetracking my potential stellar writing career. :P

Dave Barry's Blog

You can email him at daveblogger@hotmail.com. Dave's a really really friendly guy, so he'll most likely reply to you.

Forgot to talk a little about a new MTV programme in my previous posts. Have you heard of "Newlyweds"? It's a reality show about real-life married couple Nick Lachey ( of 98 Degrees ) and Jessica Simpson ( aka ditzy blonde with mediocre singing talent ). I used to watch "The Osbournes" and "Punk'd", but the former got dull after a while, and the latter has Ashton Kutcher, who has got to be the most annoying idiot in the whole world right now, notwithstanding the fact that he's actually good-looking and must be quite the stud to keep Demi Moore interested. But I digress... :D

"Newlyweds" is, in my opinion at least, compelling television. I own TWO 98 Degrees CDs, by the way. Bought those for the singing, not the washboard abs *innocent look* :P Nick and Jessica were in an on-again-off-again situation, but in the end, they tied the knot, and now bare all, figuratively speaking, on MTV.
The pilot was screened on Singapore cable when I was away in NZ, but I did catch the 2nd episode, which had Jessica going into major overdrive when Nick auditioned skimpily clad dancers for an upcoming performance. "I trust my husband," Jessica drawled. "I know he adores me, but I don't trust the girls." Yeah, right. She trailed along to the try-outs, shot Nick venomous stares when he ogled too much ( one priceless shot had him stop mid-sentence, jaw hanging, as he gawked at a girl's tush! ), and then, in a classic dumb-blonde moment, bought 3 pieces of lingerie for US $750 ( she didn't even look at the price tag, and whined to Nick only after she'd left the store!? Nick's response? A very gentle "Well, look at the price tag next time, honey." )

I saw these two nuts on Oprah a couple of months back, and believe it or not, Jessica has never once, in her entire life, lifted a hand to do chores around the house. Scenes from "Newlyweds" depicted their home in a perpetual mess, necessitating the hiring of a housekeeper. Two young and able adults who aren't really that busy ( come ON! ) can't even keep house. Shameful!!! Wait, there's more. When Oprah asks Jessica's mother why Jess didn't help out when she was a kid / teenager, the mom said her daughter was just "too busy with her career", then Jessica chimed in and answered, "Well, my mom didn't work, so she should do the chores."
And women like these always get the guy. I get down on my hands and knees to scrub toilets, I can mop a 2-storey house singlehandedly in under an hour, wash and iron clothes if I have to ( my mom won't let me do that, 'cos she worries that I'll collapse from exhaustion, so... :)). The only thing I can't do yet is cook meals. But I'm learning. :D

Hmm, looks like I'm ranting. Okay then, hopefully my mood will lighten tomorrow. Aren't the results for the Asia Blog Awards out yet? ;)

P.S. Drop by this website. I'll bet it'll blow your mind ( like it did mine, which is still reeling :P )

The TimeCube

P.P.S. Super-funny video clip under Dave Barry's December 16 entry, with the heading Women: Do you wonder what men do in men's rooms? Looks Australian. :P

My apologies for not making an entry till now. I tried my best to write something yesterday, but darn it, the shift was horrible! You'd think that people would rather enjoy themselves on a public holiday, but nooooo, they showed up in the ER in droves. Some were, of course, warranted, but many were also NS boys whining about a runny nose, or my personal favourite, a poking pain in the back of his head which was "mild" and "not bothering me too much". As expected, when I handed him a prescription for some simple painkillers, the punchline came: Can I have an MC for today and tomorrow? I just gave him The Look and said, "No." I seem to be getting the hang of this, 'cos my refusal to give MCs actually appears to be working, hah! But then, I have yet to meet a fussy parent. My registrar just told me she got picked to pieces by an NS boy's demanding father yesterday. He debated nastily with her for 20 minutes during the peak of our busy shift, and left the room only when she relented and issued medical leave for his son -- a strapping young man whose complaint was a mere cough and cold. Aaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh! That's for all the ER doctors in Singapore. :)

I thought another tsunami of patients would hit us today -- post New Year and all -- but it's been really quiet except for the occasional sickie. Lots of old people with fevers, for some strange reason, so the geriatric department's gonna fill up pretty quickly. Just realized that the houseman change over today as well. It's usually a bit of a mess, but at least the MOs aren't rotating this time round. Besides, the HOs are already into their last postings, so at least they'll know how to clerk, set plugs, catheterize, and carry out simple resuscitations, right? Right?!?!? ;)

So, with my belated post for the new year, should I list my resolutions for 2004? Okay, this is a bit personal, so errr, I won't, haha! All right, all right, I'll list a few. :)

1. Get down to studying. I've been slowing down these past few months, especially with the NZ trip and all, but it's time to buck up! I've got an exam to clear!

2. In relation to (1), I hope to watch less TV and surf the Internet less intensively. With the latter, I've had to cut back on visits to www.claytonaiken.com :( , but I've got fellow local fans to keep me updated daily :) .

3. Get hitched. Do you think I'm joking? Okay, maybe half joking. :D Seriously though, I think 3 years of singlehood is more than enough, so yeah, if I meet a nice guy, I'd like to dip my toes into the unpredictable waters of dating once again. However, I find that meeting the guy is the toughest bit. My mom says my standards are too high, but I disagree. Maybe it isn't the right time yet, but as long as I meet my soulmate eventually, I'm willing to wait. :) So this "getting hitched" resolution isn't a die-die-must-get-a-man sort of mantra. I hope to meet someone, 'cos at least I feel ready now, but if I don't, I won't be upset about it either. We'll see....

All right, how about a list of "hopes for 2004"?

1. pass my A&E exam
2. refer to (3) above :)
3. meet Clay Aiken in person -- he's confirmed that he's dropping by Singapore this year, so I hope I'll get the chance to say hi to him. :D

The lists here are extremely short, but like I said before, these are pretty personal issues, so only my journal has more complete versions. ( Psst, the Singapore press reads my blog, and I'm not exactly popular with reporters, so why provide them with fuel for the fire, eh? ;) )

Before I end off, let me recommend the new season of "Monk" to you! The free-to-air channels aren't screening it, even though they had the first season before cable got its hands on it. Now, season 2 is into its first episode, and the series is indeed only getting better. Tony Shalhoub won his Emmy for good reason, and continues his lovable, vulnerable portrayal of Adrian Monk as he solves bizarre cases in ingenious ways. The programme is shown every Tuesday on StarWorld Channel 18 at 9pm, with repeats the next morning. Don't miss this!

I've got another friend's wedding coming up, which I will be emceeing, yikes! It's a first for me, so I hope my stint turns out well for everyone involved. And yes, congratulations to the beautiful couple! :D

Right. Time to find out what the heck happened on Survivor: Pearl Islands while I was away. I think the winner's been picked, but the media in New Zealand didn't announce anything. As long as it isn't Burton or Jon, I'm content!
-- edited to add the link below ( great coverage of the show, and it WASN'T Jon or Burton, yes! )

Survivor Fever

Hmm, wonder what the results of the Asian Blog Awards are? Final outcome will be known tomorrow. :)

Happy New Year to the readers!

3:40am New Year's Eve morning. I'm feeling okay, though my appetite's still about 60% normal. It's been a good shift so far. Not that relaxed, but I like the people who are on call with me, and we're just hanging out together like a bunch of old pals. :)

Here's something I just found. Kinda strange seeing my name on an expat website. Wonder when this occurred?

Review of my blog on GeoExpat.com

They wrote some nice things though. Greatly appreciated! :D

I've intubated 2 old fellas so far, both of whom had a combination of heart failure, asthma and maybe pneumonia all rolled into one nice thick mixture. I wore the spacesuit again, after a hiatus of quite a few months. It's a lot of fun. You should try it sometime, haha! :)

If you're wondering about the effect of the isolated SARS cases in Taiwan and China on Singapore, the answer is: life goes on as usual. For now, at least. I was really bothered way back in March and April, especially after I signed up one lady who was subsequently confirmed to be a SARS case. But now, we feel more confident about the precautionary measures, and take things one day at a time. If you get worked up about it too much, you'd just end up completely immobilized, I suppose. :)

Now we've got a standby case of a young lady with a head injury from a road traffic accident, who's unconscious. ETA 10 minutes.

Yeesh, now I realize how hungry I am. Hmm, that's a good sign, actually. :P

More later. Gotta glove up and prepare myself.

Is it Monday already? Gosh, my weekend went by in a blur, and not in a good way.

The last time I made an entry (on Friday), I was a little nauseated, but otherwise getting through the night shift okay. Then, at 4am Saturday morning, I started to develop severe symptoms of gastroenteritis ( food poisoning in layman terms ), which continued for the next 48 hours, with fever and the inability to eat anything except for a few mouthfuls of porridge and small cups of water and fruit juice. I got to know my bed and pillow very well, and only started eating better yesterday evening. I had to call in sick, of course, and hope the ER wasn't too busy during my absence. I'm still having a low-grade fever at the moment, and my tummy's churning, but I'll see how it goes when I report for afternoon shift later today. Do I feel well enough to work? Honestly speaking -- no way. But do I have a choice? Nope. We're short enough as it is, and the way my department works, if you take medical leave and the standby MO gets called down, you jolly well make it up to him/her, meaning you forfeit your off day and pay him/her back another time. In my opinion, this nullifies the concept of "medical leave", 'cos c'mon, if you have to pay someone back for a legitimate sick day, you shouldn't even consider that an MC, right? Oh well, there are forces beyond my control, so let's hope I get through today in one piece ( that's my new mantra, by the way :P ).

So what's the cause of my illness? Probably something I ate from the staff room pantry -- they leave food on the table as supper for the night shift people sometimes. I took some noodles in a packet, but it tasted funny so I threw it away after taking a couple of bites. Must've been super-toxic, considering the effects it had on me. I still get nauseous just thinking about it, blech... That's the last time I ever touch the food on that table.

The upside in all this is how well my mom takes care of me. Really grateful to her for that. :)

I start work at 3. Last temperature check 37.4 degrees Celsius. 5 more hours to go. Help...

Before I proceed, here's the link to medical blog run by a nurse practitioner in the States. My thanks to him ( I think it's a him :P ) for linking to mine. It's a nice fast-paced read, and provides a list of other medical blogs as well. Check it out :D

Spankysplace Blog


I finally got the chance to see The Return Of The King this morning, after having to stew for more than a week. I was in New Zealand the day it opened, aargh! You can't imagine how badly I wanted to watch this while I was there! But the tour schedule didn't allow for it, and besides, the screens there are pretty small in comparison to ours, so I decided to be patient and wait till I got home.

In a nutshell, ROTK is fantastic!!! And what's more, it has toppled the 10-year reign of my previous favourite film, Dead Poets Society. So now my list is thus:

1) LOTR: The Return Of The King
2) Dead Poets Society
3) The Sixth Sense

In my book at least, that's quite a feat. But ROTK touches me in so many ways really. Despite being a little cheesy in certain parts, my enjoyment of the movie also stems from the fact that I've been extremely lucky to have recently been to "Middle-earth" itself, ie. New Zealand, and viewed quite a number of the filming locations. E.g. Queenstown's Dart River and The Remarkables ( the latter looming large in many scenes ), Wellington's Dry Creek Quarry ( the venue for Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith ), Matamata near Rotorua ( the actual sets for Hobbiton lie in this small farming area, but I missed out on visiting the actual site -- I did, however, pass the outskirts, and the whole place just looks like The Shire, just without the little houses, which was a real treat! ).
Seeing the locations first-hand also illustrated the many challenges faced by both cast and crew during shooting. Many of these places are isolated, with fickle weather conditions and rough terrain. Another thing I noticed, again thanks to Dan, our Wellington guide who's this huge fountain of information :), is that director Peter Jackson paid lots of attention to details, sometimes using one specific location for a scene lasting less than a minute, just because it had "the right trees". I kid you not! Other touches you probably don't know about include the fact that the boots worn by the warriors in the movie were embroidered on the inside as well -- something audiences would never see, but which the team added because it was commensurate with the practices of the novel's characters. Wow...

If you're still reading, here's my review of ROTK :P

Spoilers beware!!!


Spoilers beware!!!


Spoilers beware!!!


This is by far the best in the whole trilogy, and I am rooting for Jackson to win as many directorial awards as possible for making LOTR the masterpiece that it is. The Oscars beckon, but rumour has it the Academy doesn't favour blockbusters and "maverick" directors, so it could be a kinda-stupid-show-beats-really-really-good-film year like that of Forrest Gump ( which beat "The Shawshank Redemption", a major travesty, in my opinion ). A friend of mine from the US says "Cold Mountain" will get the Best Picture nod this year, for various unfair reasons. Let's hope that does NOT happen.

What's not to admire and love about ROTK? I never got round to reading JRR Tolkien's book, and this could be good or bad, 'cos some friends who did tell me the book is better. Anyway, I'm first and foremost a film buff, 'cos I rarely have the time or energy to read entire novels nowadays, and in terms of enjoyment factor, ROTK the movie has it all: a wonderful screenplay, a cast that shines more and more with each new chapter, a director with great vision and skill, a crew that excels in every area imaginable, and the set that IS Middle-earth: gorgeous New Zealand.

This installment features battles galore, with the climax at Minas Tirith, where all the forces of good and evil collide in a massive war involving Nazgul, oliphants, cave trolls and gryphons ( like I said, I haven't read the book, so forgive me if the terminology is incorrect, especially regarding the gryphon bit :P ). If you thought Helm's Deep was something, you ain't seen nothing yet! The visual effects in ROTK are eye-popping, and put the clone wars in Star Wars Episode II to shame. I only wish more magic could've been included. My favourite scenes always have Gandalf wielding his staff: his confrontation with the Balrog in The Fellowship Of The Ring ( "You shall not pass!" -- awesome! ), his charge down the mountain to Helm's Deep with a beam of white light illuminating the sky in The Two Towers, and this time, the bit where he rides out across a field, staff lit up again, to fend off a group of vicious Nazgul from fleeing warriors as they head for the refuge of Minas Tirith.

Elijah Wood and Sean Astin are terrific as Frodo and Samwise respectively. The two actors bonded strongly in real life, and it is clearly evident in the film. The most poignant scene, where Frodo is believed dead after a frightening attack by Shelob ( a giant spider that is guaranteed to make you arachnophobic *shudder* ) has Sam weeping, "Don't go where I cannot follow." I lost it then and there *dabs at eyes with tissues* And how about the last part when Frodo is too weak to take the final steps to the edge of Mount Doom? Sam says, "I cannot carry it (the ring) for you, but I can carry you!", then proceeds to lift his friend and continue climbing despite his exhaustion. Extremely touching. :)

The action sequences are fantastic! I've always liked swordfights, so I was grinning from ear to ear :D Orlando Bloom, who's slender yet athletic and graceful, is the one to watch. Keep an eye out for the oliphant scene, where Legolas shimmies up the giant creature, then in a step-wise manner, manages to topple the massive beast. Humour abounds as Gimli, upon seeing Legolas land on the ground looking pleased with himself, exclaims, "Well, it still only counts as one!" ( in reference to a competition they had in keeping score of the number of enemies they felled ). Don't think that was in the book, right? ;) Anyway, Orlando's my mom's favourite. He's got cheekbones to die for, and for me, his smoky voice is the best part. Just saw on HBO last night that he's due to star in "Kingdom Of Heaven", a tale about a peasant ( Orlando ) who becomes a knight, then saves a kingdom and wins the love of the princess. Fluff, you scoff? Let me tell you who the director is: none other than Ridley Scott! Can't wait to see that one! :)

Romance is also abundant, as Aragorn chooses between Arwen and Eowyn. I don't think there was ever any question Arwen would win, but I prefer Eowyn, the strong-willed princess who can match a man in battle. She even chopped off a dragon's head to defend her injured uncle. Beat that, Arwen! :P So yes, I wasn't too happy when Aragorn rejected her and broke her heart. But then, Arwen has always been his first and only love. Gotta give him points for loyalty and self-restraint. Guys like that are really rare. :)

Ah, Aragorn. Or more specifically, Viggo Mortensen. My favourite from the very beginning, and cast perfectly ( Stuart Townsend was the original choice, but got fired after just 1 day of shooting. He's the pale, effeminate type, so I'm glad Viggo got the part in the end :)).
As the title states, Aragorn finally takes his place as rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. It's a pleasure to see Mortensen go through the various emotions as his character grapples with his fate -- hesitation, even denial, then eventually, resignation and acceptance. He exudes a quiet regal quality never seen before in his prior films ( "Daybreak", "28 Days"... although he was darn sexy in "A Perfect Murder" :P ), so it's nice to have him play a courageous king for a change. He infuses Aragorn with kindness, honour and a deep introspective spirit, and demonstrates great sword skills in the battle scenes. He's 45 years old but looks 10 years younger. A poet, artist and song-writer, Mortensen lends his vocals to a short song near the end of the film. It is a haunting melody. Wonder if it's in the movie soundtrack? ;)

Here're some interesting things you may not know about ROTK ( thanks to Dan who told me during the LOTR tour, as well as an ROTK special I saw on NZ TV -- the perks of being on vacation, haha! :)):

1. The sound effects for the war chants and stomping of soldiers' feet were recorded at the Wellington sports stadium during a sellout rugby game. The participants ( a 35,000-strong crowd ) did it for free. That's the spirit! :D

2. Viggo wears a wig. Didn't think it was necessary, he's already got longish dark hair what. :P Also, his dressing room mirror is always covered with clippings and photos. Apparently Viggo never preens. Cool :)

3. Some of the roars you hear in the films are contributed by lions from the Wellington zoo. We passed by during the LOTR tour, and believe it or not, the zoo is located right smack in the middle of, get this, a residential area! Dan said you have to really love animals in order to live there. Heh heh :)

4. One scene in ROTK, with Aragorn whispering to Gandalf in a crowded room as they ponder the progress of Frodo, lasts less than a minute but required 60 takes! Such is the perfectionist in Peter Jackson. A little scary!

5. The part where King Theoden rides past 200 soldiers, touching their spears with his sword, was an improvisation on the original script. The horses went a bit nuts during the shoot, but they managed to complete it without any major injuries. ( p.s. people say Theoden's speech is the highlight of the movie, but I much preferred Aragorn's battle cry: "Someday men will betray one another, but it is not this day!" or something like that. )

6. If you watch all 3 movies closely, you will realize that the Hobbits are always moving from the left side of the screen to the right, ever since they leave Hobbiton. This is deliberate, thanks to Peter Jackson, who wanted consistency throughout their journey. In ROTK, when they finally return home, they move from right to left. Cool :)

I'll add more if I think of something. Right now, I'm on night shift yet again, after failing to sleep a wink in the afternoon even though I tried to ( hmm, maybe I tried too hard. I don't know... ). Not feeling too good still. Persistent nausea, a bit of a headache. I just want to get through tonight in one piece.

On a happier note, my old friend, Adrian, is getting married tomorrow. Many congratulations!!!!!

I'm post morning shift, but it's 4pm, and I'm going home, woohoo!

Merry X'mas to all the readers! :)

By the way, I just realized that I've been included in a list of Asian / Singaporean blogs up for various awards. I only have 3 votes so far, so I thought I'd put this link up and see if you loyal readers can help. I don't really care if I win or not, but it would be interesting to see how far I go in this. :P
Thanks in advance for any assistance rendered!

Vote For Best Singapore Blog

Have a good X'mas! Till next time...

A big hello to everyone! I'm back home and it feels great! :D

I'm now sitting comfortably in the house, and got my cat from Pets' Station a few hours ago. He looked really traumatized from being caged up for 20 days, but is now back to normal and yowling his head off, which is fine with me :) But if he continues this for too long, I'll have to give him a smack on the tush. :P

Well, what can I say? It was a heavenly holiday, and I've got the sunburnt face to show for it! It was cold, but one of our guides told us the ozone layer above New Zealand has patchy defects in it, and I never use sunscreen on my face, so I have no idea how much UV radiation I've absorbed so far. The distribution's a little strange too -- it was pretty cold, so I was wrapped up in jackets and sweaters, but my face was exposed, so that's the only part that's brown at the moment!
The weather can be rather harsh, especially in the glacier region, which was where I first noticed my face had turned lobster red, after an hour of hiking to the glacier's terminal face ( it was awesome, but more on that in later posts ).

Unfortunately, I've always been a poor air traveller, and suffered on the plane to and from New Zealand. It didn't help that I was placed in close proximity to crying or hyperactive children on both trips, so I didn't sleep a wink for the whole 10 hours. Then nausea would kick in, so I ended up not eating either. Then there were bits with air turbulence, ugh.

But enough about the bad. Like I said, I loved this holiday, and NZ is truly a magnificent country! Full of awe-inspiring beauty that reminds you every single day of God's hand on Earth. I kept a journal during the trip, so I'll try to transcribe the entries from time to time. I haven't gotten myself a digital camera yet, and can't post pictures on this blog, so I'll provide links to pics from the Internet ( they're probably nicer anyway :)).

So, here're a couple of lists for you:

Favourite tours:

1) Wellington Rover Lord Of The Rings Tour
2) Dart River Jet Safaris / LOTR Tour in Glenorchy, near Queenstown
3) Glow Worm Grotto / Waitomo Caves in Waitomo ( between Rotorua and Auckland )
4) Fox Glacier trek
5) the Agrodome in Rotorua

Favourite place:

Winning by a huge margin -- Queenstown


New Zealander traits:

1) very friendly
2) very hospitable
3) very helpful
4) extremely proud of their country's heritage and natural resources
5) extremely proud of Peter Jackson and his astounding film achievement with LOTR


Things you should eat in NZ:

1) beef!
2) Tip Top ice-cream, of which a single scoop equals a double by Singapore standards, and which comes in a giant cone, and too many flavours to count! My favs include Apricot Supreme and Triple Chocolate, yum!


Things I enjoyed doing most while I was there ( not counting my favourite tours ):

1) eating their giant steaks, haha!
2) eating their ice-creams ( not kidding! )
3) feeding and playing with a group of frisky lambs on a farm
4) feeding wild ducks and geese at the boat jetty along Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown ( they just come up and daintily pick the bread from your fingers! )
5) trying all the different Chinese restaurants in each town we stopped at ( we became experts at hunting these places down, I must say :P )


People we met who really made huge impressions:

1) Dan, our guide for the Wellington Rover LOTR Tour -- witty and fun, he is a veritable walking encyclopedia on information regarding the films, as well as everything New Zealand. He spent a whole day with just 6 of us ( that's considered a fully booked tour on most occasions -- there were 20 a day round the time of the world premiere on Dec 1st ), but made it extremely interesting with his many anecdotes and enthusiasm. We all loved his warm and dynamic personality, and I hope some of you will get to meet him should you join the tour in the future. :D

2) Jason, from Kea West Tours in Greymouth / Twin Glaciers -- most guides have to be well-informed and hospitable, but Jason took very good care of us, and warmed up to us with time ( we got him for 2 consecutive days -- the first for Punakaiki / Pancake Rocks and the second for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers ). We really enjoyed both trips, and I especially loved the detour to Lake Matheson, which is a very secluded little place that is so quiet you'll feel all the tension in your body seeping away into the still waters. Wonderful. :)

3) Stuart and Donna Hamilton from the Coast-to-Coast Tour in Auckland -- this lovely couple runs a sheep farm, and invited us to their home for lunch and a visit. Donna's a fantastic cook ( the merengue with whipped cream is to die for! ), and Stuart is a very sweet fellow. We got to feed their lambs, play around with their menagerie of sheepdogs, parrots, bunny and guinea-pigs, and spent a great afternoon just chatting and sharing experiences. They're very warm and hardworking people, and we just adore them. :D


Whoa, it's getting a little late! I have to take a nap before my night shift -- yes, I'm doing a call the day after I just returned to Singapore, sob! -- so I'll leave you with this superb letter from Clay Aiken, written to the Charlotte Observer after he recently graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He is wise beyond his years, and never fails to teach us something valuable about life and ourselves. Congratulations, Clay!


"Some opportunities present themselves just once, and no doubt, I've been blessed to experience several beyond my wildest dreams this year. High on that list -- with "American Idol," the "American Music Awards" and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, among others -- is an event every bit as exciting and memorable: my college commencement at UNC Charlotte.

Yesterday, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education. I donned the robe and mortarboard, sat with fellow students, and took in the sights and sounds of a transformed Halton Arena. People were brimming with anticipation, pride and joy.

I "walked" in line to receive my diploma. I shook hands with the chancellor and the College of Education dean. I turned my tassel upon the conferring of degrees, cheering loudly upon joining the ranks of the 49er alumni.

And I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

While I truly regret any inconvenience my attendance may have caused, I am grateful to have had the chance to come back to UNC Charlotte to celebrate this milestone. A triumph four years in the making, this was a "magical moment" that I wanted to capture -- for myself and those whose support made it possible.

In what could be the understatement of the year, my life has changed dramatically since that first American Idol try-out. It's surreal, actually, thinking about the whirlwind of events that have unfolded. The interviews. The awards. The invitations. Even the rumors, which, unfortunately, come with the territory.

I was warned, "It's the price of fame." Yet fame and glory are fleeting, especially in the music business. That's why completing my degree and graduating from college were priorities. How long this ride will last is anyone's guess, but the fact remains that if it all ended tomorrow, I'd still have Plan A to fall back on -- and that's not a typo. My first dream was to work with children with disabilities.

Reaching that goal began with my education at UNC Charlotte. I am indebted to the faculty and administrators of the College of Education for their support and guidance in the special education program, including my special study on service needs for children with autism.

However, college also opened doors beyond the classroom that provided a glimpse of life in the "real-world." For example, the Bubel family not only welcomed me into their lives, but entrusted me to help care for their most precious gift -- their son, Mike, who has autism. He continues to be my inspiration and motivation to help children with disabilities.

If my career detour from special education to singing has done one thing, it has afforded me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. In founding the Bubel-Aiken Foundation, we hope to be able to help families receive much-needed support with the care and education of their special needs children.

What's more, the friendships I made with special ed majors and other UNC Charlotte students are as valuable as the knowledge gained from my studies. In time, good memories will only grow stronger -- and those few hours at commencement with friends have already become precious. For a short while, I was who I was before fate intervened: Clay Aiken, Class of 2003, caught up in the moment of graduating.

Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again, and now I understand. In 12 months, my life has changed forever. I've learned a lot outside the classroom -- about myself, business, friendships and especially, the value of time. I missed out on some opportunities due to schedule conflicts -- and while those windows may open again, second chances aren't guaranteed.

I did not want my college commencement to fall into that category. I worked hard to earn my degree, and so, too, did a lot of others who invested their time, talent and concern to help me reach my goals.

Still, for all of the changes that come with being in the public eye, there is one that I embrace because I am a teacher at heart. I can lead by example and encourage others to pursue their educational goals. I hope that my participation in UNC Charlotte's commencement sends a clear signal that far outlasts whatever fame my future holds: there is nothing more important than obtaining an education.

Hmmm I wonder if there's a song in there."


More another day then. It's good to be home! :)

Almost 2am right now, and feeling a little tired despite the adrenaline rush from earlier today. Yes, only ( checks watch ) 19 hours to go before I jump on the plane and head to New Zealand! Major packing this morning, but all done. Had to take my poor cat to Pets' Station to board him while we're away. Feeling really sad about that...

Anyhow, better not dwell on that or I'll never leave the country :P

Let's talk about something good, like Clay! :D

Perfect 10 Interview : The file was put up by fans in the US who streamed during the telecast on Thursday afternoon Singapore time. Absolutely amazing! The interview itself didn't offer any new revelations. Carrie Chong, the DJ who got to talk to him ( lucky, lucky lady! ) didn't know some of the facts that the whole world's already privy to, but Clay answered her questions very patiently, and even threw in some good-natured banter in between. Clay was just laughing the whole way, which was really cute. :)
Then at the very end, Carrie ( bless you! ) got him to sing 2 lines from Invisible a capella! He resisted initially, but relented quickly and belted it out, pitch perfect and clear as day. Be still my heart! My mom and I were tuning in from home, and loved it all! :D

Here's the link: Perfect 10 Interview Cap


New Photos Of Clay:

Scroll down to karebear's post of the pics. Clay's wearing clothes from Armani Exchange! I buy my stuff from them from time to time -- mostly winter wear -- and I just love how Clay looks in these outfits. Get a load of that smile! :P There's an A/X outlet in Singapore at Takashimaya. Hey, Clay, when you do drop by our shores, be sure to check this place out for some really gorgeous outfits. ;)

Grammy nominations for 2003 announced : Clay's not on it, sadly, but Kelly Clarkson is up for Best Female, which bodes well for the American Idol franchise. They say Clay wasn't eligible for the major categories because his album didn't meet the deadline, but then, he wasn't nominated for awards he was eligible for ( ie. Best Single, Best New Artist(?), People's Choice ). Oh well, the CD has many other great tracks, so hopefully he'll get his chance in 2004. :) Personally speaking, I think 2003 is going to be the year of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake. I like them both, so no complaints there!

Continuing this entry from where I left off earlier. :)

Couldn't really sleep during my rest time, so I'm still yawning. I hope to get off the shift at 8am on the dot so I can rush home, eat a big breakfast, then sleep for 6 hours before waking up to leave the house. I've never had to fly after a night call before, so I have no idea if this will aggravate my tendency to get motion sickness. Anyway, I've got my trusty Stemetil on standby, at a fellow MO's suggestion. If it works, all my problems are solved! :D

Okay, here's a rough guide to my itinerary ( from memory, 'cos the actual list is at home ):

Christchurch

Greymouth via TranzAlpine train

Fox Glacier -- this is probably the one we're joining, based on the timing in our schedule

Queenstown
-- looky here for one of the awesome LOTR tours we'll be joining!
--> Dart River LOTR Tours
--> and for an up-close pic of what we'll be doing on that jet boat, click HERE
( I was telling my mom about it yesterday, and she looked a bit pensive, but didn't say anything else, thank goodness! She refuses to let me go bungee jumping though. *mumble mumble* )

There's also a Taieri Gorge Railway train ride we're hopping on to Dunedin, which you can check out here.
-- it's ranked right up there with a famous mountain railway in Colorado.

Wellington
-- this is where the other LOTR tour is ( links available below in the Dec 3 entry )

Lake Taupo
-- breath-taking pictures right here!

Rotorua

Auckland

Click on the various names to see pictures from the Net:

Other main attractions included in this tour -- which was customized by a NZ tour operator based on my to-see and to-do list -- are Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks , Milford Sound, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, and the Mount Cook National Park.

Hope that didn't make you giddy! :D It's going to be busy, but I figured hey, we're already there, so let's just make full use of it and see as much as possible!

Additional activities outside the itinerary:

Meeting up with the NZ Clay Aiken fans in Christchurch and Wellington -- they're such lovely ladies, really, and will be picking us up from our hotels to bring us on a stroll through the two cities. I will be passing the Embassy Theatre, where the world premiere of The Return Of The King was held on December 1st. There's a giant dragon perched at the top of the cinema, which is quite a sight!

It's now 6:17am. Time couldn't possibly pass by any slower, aargh! :P

15 minutes till I knock off the afternoon shift. It's 11:45pm right now, and it's been a busy day. Can't wait to get home :)

Surfed the Net a bit once things finally quietened down. Here're some links you might want to check out, 'cos I'll be joining the Wellington Rover Rings Tours and visiting the LOTR movie sites, woohoo!

Wellington Rover Rings Tours website

Travel Guide to LOTR film locations

Ian Brodie's Guidebook to LOTR Locations

Brodie's book will be available in Singapore come early 2004, with updates on The Return Of The King. I'll try to grab a copy while I'm in NZ. :)

One more day to go before Friday hits!

And here's a gentle reminder on Clay's interview with the Perfect 10 radio DJ on Thursday. He sings Invisible a capella -- I heard a bit of it today, and all I can say it, don't miss it! :D

Click below to tune in via the Internet, and download the MP3 file once one of the other local fans gets it done.

Clay Interview With The Perfect 10 Thread

Two more days to go then I'm outta here! :D
Sorry if I sound gleeful. I haven't been overseas since June 2001, and that was a very short 3-day trip to Bali. Feeling a little deprived.

Here's something I'd like to share with you all, especially fellow Clay fans in Singapore.

You can view it at the Clay Aiken Singapore forum at this link:

CAS Forum thread

Or if you prefer to read it here, the transcript of the message is included below:

This is an email from Diane Bubel, the co-founder of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, and mother of Mike Bubel, the autistic boy mentored by Clay before the latter joined American Idol. She replied after I wrote to her recently, telling her about Clay's fanbase in Singapore, how much we support the BAF for their wonderful vision, and how Claymates here are doing their part to help individuals with special needs in the local context. I also thanked her for including our country on a list of BAF / Clay Aiken Able To Serve Awards being handed out internationally ( I mentioned this in a prior post on the blog, so scroll down to look for that ).

She has kindly agreed to have her message posted on the CAS website, so I thought I'd put it here as well. Thank you, Diane, for your generosity! :)

From Diane:

"Thank you for your kind email. I am very proud of TBAF website. It's amazing to me the number of fans, like yourself, that are willing to help. As you can tell by the pictures of Clay and my son Mike, Clay has been a great friend to Mike.

We found that Mike had autism shortly after his second birthday.
We, as a family, have tried to make life experiences available to Mike. He is a challenge and a joy all wrapped into one young man. Having individuals like
Clay walk into our life and accept and strive to help Mike with his challenges has been wonderful. We have been truly blessed.

Thanks to you and your group for your support to Clay Aiken. When he left to try out for American Idol, I don't think we ever imagined that he would touch people as he has. Clay is an amazing individual and I hope he has many years of success. I look forward to working with him and making a difference through this foundation that he has started."

More news on Clay:

Catch him on the Perfect 10 for a 10-minute interview segment with DJ Carrie Chong. It will be aired this Thursday at 3pm, 9pm and 2am.

I've already talked about the AI X'mas special on cable. But watch out for the Diane Sawyer interview with Clay ( this is really, really good, so don't miss it! ) which will be screened on Channel NewsAsia on Christmas Day at 7:30pm. There're also features on Josh Groban ( Dec 22 ) and John Mayer ( Dec 23 ). Good stuff. :)

Okay then, that's it for now. Resus is going nuts again.

1 more hour to go before my night shift ends. Darn server broke down earlier, so I have to reproduce most of my post. :(

Anyway, it's been a pretty good call. No complaints. Plus, I'm counting down to my NZ trip, yay! :D

Here's a link to a post on Clay Aiken Singapore. It features bits from Simon Cowell's book on American Idol, with highlights on his thoughts regarding Clay. Despite his criticisms on the show, his comments here are absolutely glowing. :)

Clay Aiken Singapore Forum -- Thread on Simon's book

If you are asked to register in order to access the thread, just register lah. Real quick, and it's free! :P

And speaking of Clay, it's his 25th birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAY! What a phenomenal year it's been, and millions of lives all over the world have been touched by this remarkable young man. He'll have something else to celebrate come December 20th -- his graduation from UNCC. Congratulations!

Check out new clips of him on 2 X'mas specials below:

AI X'mas Show and Nick @ Nite

I'm going to see if I can watch one of them after this. I keep hearing how wonderful they are, so make sure you take a look! :)

Here's a delayed review of 2 TV reality shows:

The Bachelor -- Singapore television screened the finale of the 3rd season on Thursday, where I got a big kick out of seeing Andrew Firestone pick Jen over Kirsten. I've never liked Kirsten, and neither did Andrew's brother, who took him aside and told him to think very carefully before proposing to her. She appeared to take it well -- saying sweetly, "I want you to be happy. That's what's important.", before turning nasty when riding off in the limo ("Just thinking of him proposing to Jen makes me sick / want to throw up.") My mom and I gasped when we saw this -- sacre bleu!!! Sure, we never rooted for her -- she just seemed so materialistic and fake, not to mention that mysterious "boyfriend" she left hanging back home -- but this really takes the cake. I couldn't be happier for Jen -- down-to-earth, kind, humble, sincere, good-tempered, homely. Andrew, you picked a winner! Word on the Internet states that they're still together, and may get married after a year's engagement. That puts the date tentatively at early 2004. Hope this relationship pulls through, especially after Alex and Aaron fizzled with their ladies.

Survivor:Pearl Islands -- As if one detestable character isn't enough, Jon has overtaken Burton in terms of the "ick" factor after asking his visiting best friend to pretend that Jon's grandmother died in order to help him gain sympathy votes from the other tribe members! I was shocked beyond belief, and of course, no-one knows this. However, Jon has gleefully ( albeit also stupidly ) proclaimed his strategy to the entire world by saying it himself while on camera. Man, I wanted to reach into the TV set and throttle this weasel. This tactic is way below the belt. He should've been kicked off a long time ago. How he managed to come this far is really beyond me.
This week, Tijuana was voted out. But next week, watch as hot potato Sandra does what I was hoping she would -- egging the other females on to kick the guys out. Yes! These 2 fellows don't deserve to win! If it were Rupert, I'd want him to be in the final two for sure, but NOT, DEFINITELY NOT Burton or Jon.

And before I go off, let's talk about Michael Jackson :)

The mugshot in yesterday's paper said it all. Jackson has aged tremendously, looking haggard and sad, with a deer-in-the-headlights expression, as if asking, "Why is this happening to me?", or "Why are you doing this to me?" (take your pick). I can't possibly say if he's innocent or not, but I can just as easily imagine why he'd molest a boy, or believe that he's totally incapable of such an act. He's just too difficult to understand, behaving so erratically that no-one can be sure anymore. But I'd like to think that he isn't guilty. The prosecutor in charge of this case sounds like he's got some personal vendetta against Jackson, which always gets my hackles up ( just watch me during episodes of "The Practice" and you'll know what I'm talking about :D ). With his fortune dwindling and poor sales of his latest CD, he may very well end up penniless and destitute in his old age. I only hope his two children won't become media freak shows as a result of all this.

My day off! :D

Spent the morning mopping the house -- boy am I getting old and weak :P -- then gonna pick out the clothes I need to bring to NZ later tonight. It's raining, and I got my order of the Internet edition of Josh Groban's Closer in the mail today, less than a week after the distributor emailed to say it was shipped *scratches head, but doesn't mind :)*

This edition isn't available in Singapore, or in any stores for that matter. It isn't called the "Internet edition" for nothing, but it's worth every cent! Boasting 4 additional tracks and an accompanying 30-minute DVD on the making of Closer, it's an absolute treasure.

The tracks include:

Mi Morena -- Latin-infused, haunting, beautifully sung by Josh. "Come like a ghost / I'll watch you dance alone / Mi morena / You're the light within my soul"

She's Out Of My Life -- Originally done by Michael Jackson, it has always been one of my favourite MJ songs ( I also love "Ben" and "I Will Be There" ). This is given the macho treatment, 'cos Josh has such a deep, rich voice. Orchestral backup adds to the wonderful effect.

You're The Only Place -- Snippets of this can be heard on the JG concert DVD released earlier this year. Not one of the CD's stronger pieces, but I love the lyrics. "I've seen perfection in a rainbow in the sky / I've seen a child make the coldest grown man cry / But loving you I thought was greater than them all" Gorgeous :)

My December -- The highlight of the album, surely! This is a cover of a very quiet but lovely song from Linkin Park. Kinda like Guns 'N Roses' very acoustic "Patience". Here, the piece hits epic proportions with a FULL ORCHESTRA, and soaring vocals from Josh. Wow...

And now, on to ClayNews :P

He's featured in the December issue of Lime magazine. Great interview, and I love this quote right at the end:

"To me, the measure of a man is about being a role model, setting a good example and not compromising myself. And that's what I want to be."

My mom just adores this guy. :D

*waves to all the readers -- thanks for posting your comments! :)*

Wednesday morning shift in resus.

What was supposed to be a quiet day ( based on previous experience anyhow ) has turned out to be action-packed. The cases came in a constant stream starting from 8am on the dot, and hasn't let up till now ( almost 4pm ). We've had about 3 collapse cases so far. One of them was a 24-year-old Indian male with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators are trying to confirm whether it was self-inflicted, but from the looks of it, it probably was. He was already pretty bad when the paramedics brought him in, and prognosis is grave, so he was eventually extubated and sent to the general ward after a neurosurgical consult. I didn't speak to his parents myself, but I'm sure they're devastated. His mother's a nurse in our hospital, and told one of our ER sisters that her son had an argument with his girlfriend prior to the incident. Seems the young lady wanted to break up with him. Sigh.

The other collapse case was handled by myself and one of the ER consultants. A 57-year-old Chinese man lost consciousness after choking on a fishball, and the Heimlich manoeuvre failed to expel it. He flatlined soon after, and when I stuck the laryngoscope down his throat to intubate him, the culprit fishball was sitting there like a giant ping pong ball, entirely intact. We fished it out ( sorry, pun not intended ) and intubated him, jabbing in Atropine and Adrenaline in liberal doses. He was down for almost an hour, but miraculously ( and I really mean that ) managed to regain a pulse and a pretty reasonable blood pressure post-resuscitation. He's probably sustained extensive brain damage from the prolonged period of hypoxia, but in most collapse cases, the patient's family just needs time to deal with everything that's happening, so even though this man most likely will NOT make it in the end, at least his wife and children have the chance to say goodbye and grieve. I absolutely hate breaking bad news to relatives. It's distressing to them, and makes me feel awful. Some relatives have turned violent before as well, which then necessitates reinforcements from our hospital security guards, perhaps even the ER's in-house police post. Very unpleasant.

A young Indonesian female was just wheeled in after stabbing herself in the abdomen with a pen-knife. Blood pressure's low, and the surgical team is coming down to see her. I've got 10 minutes left before I call it a day. Getting a little tired, to be honest!

Okay, I don't think I have that much time to go on and on like I always do :P so before I sign off, Clay Aiken fans listen up! The Singapore premiere of the music video for Invisible takes place tonight at about 10:55pm, just after "Charmed". I've got my VCR ready. :D

Survivor: Pearl Islands Debacle

I can't believe it! Rupert was voted out!!! How could this happen?!?!
Okay, I'm officially disgusted with Burton. How he turned traitor, and formed an alliance with, major yuck, Jon the slimy, smirky, lazy, scrawny, nasty, foul-mouthed bum.

Yes, it's just a TV show, but I like Rupert. He's always been a gracious player, winning on his own merits ( strength, speed, smarts ) rather than double- or triple-crossing people. Sure, Rob Cesternino from Survivor: Amazon did the betrayal routine like a pro many times over, but Rob was essentially manipulating gently ( those who fell for his tricks weren't the brightest -- admit it! ) while Burton is being a flat-out ingrate. His "friendship" with Jon serves only to ensure that, once they're the final two, he will win by a landslide, 'cos the jury hates Jon a lot more than they do Burton. With Rupert out, there aren't any strong contenders left -- the other 5 are all gals, aaargh! So Burton might win every single reward and immune challenge from now on, then choose Jon the weasle to join him in the final two. NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Sigh. Poor Rupert. He looked absolutely defeated. It never pays to be nice in this game.

Church service was really enjoyable today. Yeah, I've never mentioned church specifically on my blog before, but we had the semi-retired Bishop Revd. John Tan visiting because of confirmation, so he gave the sermon as well. And what a terrific sermon it was! He discussed a chapter from Romans, and used a few interesting examples to illustrate his points.

He had us laughing till our sides hurt with the following: (let me try to reproduce it as closely as possible)

"I know we have doctors here in the congregation, so you'll probably agree with what I say about how corpses behave after death.

Did you know that the nails and hair continue to grow even when the person is already dead? So if you don't cremate quickly... ( laughter from the audience )

Some corpses quiver! You can imagine what this is like at night! Economic downturn or no economic downturn, you will never find me working as a mortician. ( loud guffaws throughout the church )

Others have muscle contractions strong enough to catapult them off the table! ( audible gasps heard -- :P ) If this were to happen with me sitting beside the corpse, you'll end up with two dead bodies instead of one."

He really is an excellent speaker. I served as the confirmation service pianist today, so it was an honour to play for him. :)

Sunday afternoon has been quiet so far. *touches wood frantically just in case* Where are all the NS boys? They're usually swarming our ER by now, but maybe they'll show up later. Anyway, our department has an ongoing active discussion on the different tactics employed by national servicemen in their ongoing quest to get medical leave. I've had fellows come to me claiming that they have to come to the A&E because they have no camp MOs, or that they're not allowed to see the polyclinic or GP, blah blah blah. Being an ignorant Singaporean female with no close male relatives to educate me on the finer points of army medical cover, I've been duped many times, darn it! But let me tell you I've been taught well these past few days, so NO MORE MCs UNLESS CLEARLY NEEDED. We've got quite a lot of soft, girl MOs in this batch, so the early lesson is extremely useful. In particular:

1) Every single NSF in Singapore has an assigned army medical centre, with, yes, an SAF MO. No crap about "not having an MO at my particular post"!?

2) All NSFs are allowed to see the polyclinics and GPs. First-line is the camp MO, but after office hours, the polyclinics and some private clinics stay open, so NO EXCUSES. Some guys try to tell you their superior at the army TOLD them to come to the A&E. NONSENSE. ( sorry about all the capital letters -- I'm FED UP, can you tell? ;) )

3) Of course, as doctors, we're committed to our most important task -- do no harm. If the NS boy's condition warrants an MC, sure, we'll issue one (I've already given 2 today, despite my new stringent criteria ). But if the guy clearly doesn't require medical leave, and tries to korek some ( usually with a poor-thing-stray/starving-animal look, and the "Errr, can I have one day's MC please?" request ), just give him light duty and refer him back to the camp MO.

I have nothing against NS guys in general, but seeing the bulk of the black sheep in the ER wears you down, especially when the real emergencies are stacked on top of, say, 5 army boys with an assortment of problems such as backache for 2 months, a mild runny nose, or a sprained finger ( *&#%$@! ).

Anyway, I shall end with some Clay Aiken news :)

Airplay Central

Go to the link to get WRAL's video of the Raleigh X'mas Parade. I don't have the opportunity to check it out right now, so have fun. :D