10 Years And Counting

This entry comes about 10 days early, but considering my upcoming schedule, I thought it best to write something early rather than late.

It's the first time I'm celebrating a blog anniversary, so it seems appropriate to start at the very beginning.

When I first began blogging, it was a hobby more than anything else. I just wanted something to divert my attention from work, which was stressful and at times downright depressing.

I remember being an orthopaedics MO in June 2002, often sequestered in the emergency department's plaster room for 24 hours, or doing wards rounds and assisting in theatre, none of which I enjoyed.

It was all part of a bigger plan, of course. I wanted to be an emergency physician, and rotations were an essential part of the training. Somehow, venting on the Internet helped ease the journey, and for some strange reason, I developed a small following not long after the site was launched.

Looking back, the past decade has been truly amazing. Yes, I grouch and bitch a lot, but hey, I completed my training, passed the exit exam, and turned consultant in 2010. I found my calling in emergency ultrasound, and now have so many teaching and administrative commitments I seldom have enough free time to sleep or engage in meaningful recreational activities ( TV and swimming don't count ).

I've also travelled quite a bit, finally fulfilling long simmering dreams to see countries I'd only read or heard about since childhood. I now count New York as my favourite city, followed by Paris and Tokyo. However, every trip has been a blessing, and I look forward to more. :)

The other major milestones? Definitely celebrity encounters. 2004 kickstarted the cycle when Jamie Cullum grabbed my hand during an impromptu moment at his showcase at a nightclub. Since then, my luck and persistence have paid off abundantly in the form of meet-and-greets with Michael Buble ( 2005 ), Peter Cincotti ( 2005 and 2008 ), Jason Mraz ( 2009 ), Kevin Spacey ( 2010 and 2011 ), Jonathan Groff ( 2011 ) and David Foster ( 2011 ).

Kevin Spacey, in whose honour this blog is named, remains a source of inspiration after 15 years. I will always be grateful for his reply to my fan letter in early 2011, and although I have yet to hear from him since his November '11 visit to Singapore ( fan letter and donation to his foundation successfully handed over ), I remain supportive and hopeful of a return trip in the near future.

In addition, special mention goes to all the new friends I've met through the blog, from a local doctor based overseas, to a friend's brother's younger sis who's become a great pal, to a fellow emergency physician at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital who was instrumental in introducing me to a world-renowned professor.

Last but not least, I have not forgotten the SARS saga, which I charted on this site that fateful year, conveying the local medical community's many struggles to a global audience that shared our pain and offered prayers daily.

It was a humbling experience, though one I hope will never repeat itself. But the seeds have been sown, and despite my chronic procrastination, rest assured that I have made progress in my writing efforts, and that I will accomplish what I set out to do many years ago, no matter what it takes.

So thank you for reading; thank you for accompanying me on this journey; there's much more on the way. :)