You are always there

Looking back the past 6 months which flew by so quickly, I cannot help but see God's hands throughout my entire stay in Johannesburg, South Africa. I could still remember the palpitations I had on my flight in from Singapore, questioning my decision to do a trauma fellowship here. Had I known what I do know now, I would not have worried one bit! However, hindsight is always 6/6, I believe that I needed to embark on this journey myself to learn the many lessons God has intended for me.

I am particularly thankful for my partner in crime, Susumu Matsushime, a trauma surgeon and intensivist from Japan. We started our fellowships on the exact same day, and it really helps having someone around to figure things out with. On top of working together, we frequently meet up for meals to unwind; we even set up a foodie group to enjoy good food with other fellow international doctors! I will always cherish the many trips we took together to explore the other parts of South Africa, and doing crazy things like climbing 2 mountains in a day! Thank you, brother Susumu.

I am also thankful for God's blood of protection over me throughout my time here. I am thankful that I completed by training safely and without harm. I am also thankful for Dr Alan Peter who runs a hostel for medical students and professionals. He gave me home in a foreign land, and a family and community to lean on. I strongly recommend his accommodation should one ever consider coming to do an elective or fellowship in Johannesburg. Thinking back, the worst experience I had here were the 4 times I was pulled over for traffic related offences, but that is another story for another time...

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible says: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." I always believed that God will never challenge you beyond that which you can bear, and in my time here I intensely felt that He was in control of my training. 

Let me start off by saying that I have never ever worked so hard before in my life prior to my fellowship in Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital's trauma unit. My residency training was known to be brutal locally, but it was nothing compared to what I experienced in my first 2 months in Bara! In my first week, I was acutely shocked at the amount of violence there was in this place as the patients who presented to us with their injuries were a direct reflection of what is happening out there. I even found myself questioning whether I was in the middle of a war zone on a few occasions. However, once I got used to the injury patterns, it became like factory work. Whenever a patient presented, we had an efficient system to triage, resuscitate and manage their injuries. As I progressed in my fellowship, I was made to take more responsibility, and with it more operative experience. By the time I was in my last week there, I had ticked off all my checkboxes apart from cardiac stab injuries. I had resuscitated and stabilised them during my time here, but I have never operated on one before.

On my last call, I had Susumu as my registrar. It was so serendipitous that I started and ended this fellowship with him! That night, I remembered telling him that all I lacked in surgical experience here was operating on a stabbed heart, but that I was very appreciative for all the other amazing skills I have picked up, from vascular repairs to thoracotomies. We had 2 stabbed hearts that night, and I did my first and second median sternotomies to repair their cardiac injuries. I believe this is not down to chance, but divine appointment.

I am very grateful to all my mentors and colleagues in CHBAH trauma unit, and I will definitely be back to do calls and learn more from all of you! Thank you, South Africa, for being a part of my life's experiences; this is one that I will hold very dear to my heart forever.

Like candles that guide my path...

I guess this academic year has finally taken its toll on me; I am feeling pretty restless and quite jaded before my final paper tomorrow, I just wish it to be over as soon as possible. There are so many thoughts wrestling for dominance in my mind that I find it hard to carry out my final revision for tomorrow. The only thing that I am looking forward to is my trip to India, but even that is filled with its own set of issues. Perhaps I am thinking too much, only time will tell.

It is important to surround yourself with friends who resonate and connect with you as Coach David always say. I find that to be very true. They are like the candles that light up my path in this dark world; the guiding lights that I use to orientate myself whenever I am lost. Thank you for your call; thank you for making the effort to come down and catch up; thank you for your love, care and concern; thank you brother.

Aal izz well (all is well), aal izz well.

A blessing...

My main race in a series of 5 races in 5 weeks was finally here.. I could still remember my Aviva 70.3 2009 experience vividly; it was the most memorable race of my life. It will be the benchmark of all my races that are to come...

I always believe that a good race experience is more than just the results; it should entail the process of training for the race, the enjoyment of the race, the supporters and the entire race atmosphere. Results are just a bonus.

I planned as I did last year on my goal for this race - 5hrs 15mins was the time to hit. The splits are as follows: 40mins for the 1.9km swim, 2hrs 40mins for the 90km bike, 1hr 50mins for the 21km run and 5mins for transition and 'chill-laxing' time.

In the transition area before the race

As the gun went off, I mentally prepared myself for a long race ahead. I entered the water and started to find my stroke for the swim. The waters were relatively calm and the swim was comfortable. Upon exiting the waters from my 1st loop, I glanced at my watch and the split was within reach =] I did a mental calculation in the water on my 2nd loop and decided to up the tempo abit; I came out of the swim within my targeted time!

I mounted the bike and started to churn away. I was going faster than my targeted speed as I felt really good and comfortable. This was probably where my race went wrong...

I remembered 3 weeks ago during the 90km time-trial that Jon Ma, Amos and I did that I started conservatively but ended strong. Today, that was not the case. I could not replicate the form I showed that day. My first 2 laps were within my targeted splits, but the 3rd loop took me 58mins. That was where the additional 5mins came from. The timing was not my major concern, what worried me was the run that is to come. A glorious 21km more to go...

As I ran into transition, I overshot my transition area and had to back up, loosing some time in the process...I have to work out a system of identifying my area as it was David who helped me point out my bike after the swim (yes, I was pretty lost in T1 as well).

I felt weak on the 1st km on the run as my leg muscles spasmed away and threatened to cramp up on me. This was the portion of the race that I learned from the most.

One thing that came to my mind while running was that what I am doing now is a priviledge; It is not an entitlement. This thought really got me going as I remembered my 2 month plus hiatus from exercising late last year. I thank God for keeping me healthy to be able to enjoy this sport.

I also remembered what Coach David told me a few days before regarding relaxing your muscles in order for them to perform and I put it into practice. It was not easy to hold yourself back knowing that you can go faster, but I did and it paid off.

My muscles felt so much better after the 2km mark and I continued to slowly increase my pace but maintaining the rhythm and the 'lightness'. I only had one thought on my mind:

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - Muhammad Ali

I kept repeating it in my head and pushed forward on the run. It was really a battle of the mind under the crazy Singapore sun beating down mercilessly. All I wanted to do was to finish the run quickly and 'pang kang' (Hokkien for stop work), but I held back the temptation to go faster for I knew if I did, I would have crashed out with major cramps.

The support from friends and relatives made the run so much more enjoyable - it was the ONLY thing that motivated me to reach the 7km U-turn point after every lap. I dare say that the support from close ones were equal, if not more compared to the electrolytes and water at the aid stations.

Thank you everyone who took time out to support us today! =] Without you there, it would have been so much more painful and it will not have made this race so memorable.

With 2km to go, I increased my pace and surged for a strong finish. It was finally over. As I crossed the line after 1hr 56mins on the run, I felt really good. It was merely 4mins faster than my run last year in the same event, but I died real badly for the 2hrs last year. I felt strong today and that is a good sign =]

After the race, we hung around the buffet area and I caught up with Renny whom I met during my Ironman in Switzerland. He was here promoting the new Taiwan 70.3 race. It was nice seeing him again =]

As Jon Ma had a high chance of getting a Clearwater 70.3 World Championships slot via roll down, we decided to wait and see if he gets it. The thought of being able get a roll down slot myself did cross my mind but I got over it quickly when I saw my name on the no. 9 spot. There were 8 people before me and there are 2 slots, what are the odds? I thought it to be very very low.

It was only after the automatic qualifiers slot allocation was announced that I saw a glimmer of hope. The top 2 in my age-group did not claim their slots which means that Jon Ma will definitely be going to the World Championships and I might have a small chance of going too!

It seriously DID NOT cross my mind that I could get a slot, so when it finally came and was finalised, I was really elated and thankful to God for this unexpected blessing. It seemed so surreal! =]

Jon and I settling the paper work

This is a new experience and something to look forward to, but first, let's get down to training =]

London, United Kingdom (5th-8th August '09)

Our final destination was London! There was so much to be done in London that we hardly covered the tip of the iceberg...

Having caught the Phantom of the Opera in Singapore, I wanted to check out the original West End version and compare the differences. I recognized the actors from the musical staged in the Esplanade and left Her Majesty's Theatre preferring the play I saw back home. Perhaps it was to do with the seating...

Anyhow, I caught Les Miserables on the last night before we left and was glad I did. It was such a beautiful play...Simply brilliant! I felt that the production made use of pretty simple props but was able to bring out the desired effect due to the killer revolving stage. That was the bomb!

Tower Bridge

Funky building along the River Thames

The London Eye

Jose Mourinho at Madame Tussauds

David Beckham at Madame Tussauds

Sensory and Motor Homunculus at The Natural History Museam

Big Ben

Jason and I cooking instant noodles illegally at the already closed kitchen in the hotel =]

Our A380 flight back to Singapore at London Heathrow Airport

A conclusion to a wonderful journey at Singapore Changi Airport

Dover, United Kingdom (4th August '09)

Dover. This was my favourite place out of all the places we visited. A small, somewhat quaint town where the White Cliffs are located. I felt immediately at home when we stepped out of the train station to a map of Dover where Marine Parade could be found =]

This was also where we had our killer adventure! Pictures speak a thousand words...so let us begin! =]

Coincidence =]

I found Marine Parade! It was also built facing the sea...

The White Cliffs of Dover in the distance...We hiked all the way there =]

This was actually a very dangerous as the land I am lying on is sloping downwards!

The adventure begins on our way back to the town centre. We decided to try an alternative way back and I believed there was a way back by the beach. Therefore, we begin our journey down the zigzag path to the beach.

We then had to climb down this really tall ladder to finally reach the beach

The rocks we had to climb over to reach the steps near the port which supposedly leads to the town centre...I think....The intial plan was to walk near waters to avoid climbing, but the tide was rising, we had no choice but to move inland and climb...

After about 45mins of climbing , we reached the steps I saw near the port. We were quite shocked to see a locked gate in front of us. We are stuck! There is no time to back track as the rising tide will sweep us out to sea! The only way out was to pick up the phone outside the gate...

There is always time for a picture to capture our adventure =]

We waited for the police to come to our rescue. They took our student cards and recorded our names and particulars. We then took the police car back to the town centre. What a nice way to explore a place! =]

Liverpool, United Kingdom (3rd August '09)

This destination was for Jiajie's pilgrimage to Anfield. He and I visited both stadiums and I came to a conclusion that Old Trafford was much more classy than Anfield but the Liverpool fans are really with their team through thick and thin. They are indeed the 12th man on the pitch; my hair stood when I watched how the Liverpool fans travelled to Istanbul to support their team in the Champions League Final against AC Milan which turned out to be as great as the comeback from Manchester United against Bayern Munich in 1999.

The Kop

Statue of Bill Shankly

Silverware in the museam

The dressing room

Notice Xabi Alonso's jersey; it was still there when we visited. His move to Real Madrid happened a few days later...and so did the decline of Liverpool Football Club.

This is Anfield!

The pitch

Anfield

Manchester, United Kingdom (1st-2nd August '09)

This destination was planned purposefully by Jason for my pilgrimage to Old Trafford! =] Thank you Yipster! I will let the pictures do the talking...

The street leading to Old Trafford

Old Trafford

The Megastore

Silverware in the museam

Names of all the players who played for Manchester United Football Club

The dressing room

Rooney might have sat where I was sitting =]

The ultimate 4-lung midfielder Park Ji Sung

Tunnel

Entrance into the pitch

Home team!

I really wanted to get my hands on some pitch turf, but the security was really crazy. The closest I got to was touch the pitch =]

Old Trafford - Fortress of the Red Devils

This killer photo was taken illegally as I sneaked behind the posts placed to prevent visitors from getting onto the field and proned to capture. It has been shortlisted for inclusion in the 9th edition of the Schmap Manchester Guide! Cool beans =] I will keep you guys updated if it has been chosen.

Amsterdam, Netherlands (30th-31st July '09)

The next destination was vice capital of the world, Amsterdam. It was a waste that we only had 2 days to spend there. Amsterdam is a very beautiful city with wonderful city planning creating a fusion of past and present.

The people in Amsterdam are also super friendly, and they speak really fluent English! =] One could really let one's hair down in this really happening city. We visited the city centre for the day and explored the streets, food and culture.

Fast food vending machine! Killer cool...

The famous fries. This could be a meal on its own!

24k Gold Vodka! What the hell!

A range of Absolut Vodka in the Vodka museam

Vodka in a Kalashnikov and grenade

A typical street in Amsterdam

We then stayed back in the city centre to check out the red light district as the skies darkened, transforming the city into a totally different place..Lights of all colours do their best to draw eyes to their masters behind glass windows. This was where I experienced the temptation...

Red light district, Amsterdam

Beauties behind glass..