three firsts in one week: first night call, first time most of the alumni choir managed to squeeze into the raffles city starbucks, and my first bloods, in that order. what a week.

my night call was on tuesday evening. we were let off early so the whole group went over to the mall next door for dinner at kfc. after that we went in search of the registrar we were attached to, who then showed us an abscess. here's the funny part. i think someone misinterpreted his instructions, so we ended up clerking. on hindsight and after a senior's tickled laughter, it does sound funny for us to have done that. anyway, we later saw this old lady who was hard of hearing but who was absolutely one of the sweetest around. she was surrounded by her kids and sons- and daughters- in law, so it was sad hear that the doctors expected something unfortunate. after her, we went down to the emergency department, which was jammed pack with people. i've never seen the place so crowded (been there twice as a patient before), with every available inch of space filled with beds, and there were more patients outside coming in by ambulance. we didn't do very much after that, after we went back to the wards. left at about nine thirty, and reached home feeling shagged out.

two days later was vocal exploits (spelled as expoils in the program, ugh) where the alumni performed two songs - africa and a mile in my shoes. was listening to the recording just now, and i'm pleased to announce that the altos can be heard on one of the songs. halleujah. nothing beats the feeling of being on stage and singing your heart out. heh.

today three of use went back to the hospital in the hope of hearing some murmurs. turns out no murmurs but there was a prosthetic click and a nice senior who's now an ho who explained the related stuff to us. talked to several patients before calling it a day, but not before someone caught hold of us asking if we had taken any bloods before. so we said no, and i went first. expectedly, i missed. can totally understand how the patient because it's happened to me before. felt bad, but was relieved to notice that the pain seemed to have dissipated quite fast. one thing i found out was that you gotta take off your gloves before putting the plaster on. in my case the ho did it for me, but in my friend's case, the plaster was stuck firmly to his gloves and we had to get another plaster. oh well, there's a lot to learn huh. for now, i'm praying that i pass this course first. this hospital's medicine department reputedly does fail people and calls them back in the hols. i want my hols!!! -sigh-

and so,

A Mile In My Shoes - Mpact

you see it your way, i see it mine
it's something that's existed
since the dawn of time
we gotta learn to live together each and everyday
and if you could see what i see
we might find a way
cause i know that we are different
but inside we're all the same
and someday you're gonna realize
we're playing the same game

if you walked a mile in my shoes
do you think your eyes would open
and see another view?
if you walked a mile in my shoes
would you be so cavalier
with the words that you choose?
and would you be so quick to put aside
someone who's not like you
not if you walked in my shoes

why does it always seem to be
that everyone i know has a better plan for me?
i'm just tryin' to get my life straight
doin' things my way
and if you would only listen
there might come a day
when you don't only think of me
as a smaller man than you
but an equal part of a bigger plan
that's gonna see us through