Winding down yet another week

What better way to wind down at the end of yet another week but to meet up with the other 2 Singaporean girls (technically its 3 but I see Liyan everyday of the working week). We decided to meet every fortnightly to provide each other with support and of course, to whinge!!

Dinner was a simple affair of thai food that was disappointing considering that they served small portion sizes and did not provide good desserts. With that, we decided to adjourn to Marina Square, for a good, sinful meal of cakes and coffee. Once at coffee club, we ordered the most sinful food that dietitian(s) would ever order. We ordered as if we could afford the extra calories. The calories from the cakes and drinks that we ordered was definitely worth it and we whinged and gossiped as if we haven't seen each other for ages. In actual fact, we chat online every wednesday morning with our lecturer (which I find rather redundant). Some digressing in progress. Before we (Singaporean girls) left for Singapore, we had to attend a week of "preparatory lessons" to prepare us for placements, mainly clinical placement. Then, the lecturers assured us that we will be provided with support. However, ever since I returned to Singapore, I felt that I've been short-changed in terms of academic support. For starters, we do not get to attend our Adelaide classmates journal clubs / critical reviews presentations / additional presentations made by external speakers / additional activity(s). Oh well!

Back to winding down, I have a love-hate relationship with weekends. I look forward to it on friday but come Sunday night, I lie in bed thinking, "Its monday again, where did my weekend go?" Anyway, some pics for you to drool. Good luck with stage 2 assessment girls! We can do it!

Muddy mud cake

Tiramisu cake

Banana Butterscotch cheesecake

Iced rambutan

Enjoying it!

Roller coaster of emotions

Having passed stage 1 of assessment, one can expect an increased in expectations. The jump from week 4 to week 5 is just to great that I broke down due to the cumulative stress. I reckon this week has not been a good one for most of us (Singaporean girls). As my lecturer explained it, passing of each stage of assessment, it is only natural for expectations to increase to as to help us progress and prepare us to being a graduate entry level dietitian.

Spoke to my PE about the stress that I am feeling and told her that I feel that I am not performing up to standard. She explained to me that no one is expecting me to perform at graduate entry at week 5 and that I am placing undue stress upon myself. Ok, I do admit to it. Anyway, I have picked myself up after a fall and I want to start this week on a good feet and putting all feedback received into good use so that I will be able to pass stage 2 (in 1 week time!). By the way, I welcome all encouragement and prayers! Fingers crossed that I will be able to complete clinical placement within the 10weeks. Missed all in Aussie!

On a good note, I purchased a dress from F21 since Sophie is organising a spree.

Its been 2 weeks

Its been 2 weeks since I last updated! Oops! Apologies for the lapse in update since I have been busy (or rather stressed) with Clinical placement. I've passed my assessment for stage 1 and have been informed that if I want to pass stage 2 (which is in 2 weeks' time,ARGH!), I will need to put in extra effort. Boo hoo hoo!

Seriously, I have NEVER ever felt so stressed before in my entire life. Yes! Even when I sat for my O's. Its crazy! The amount of stress students feel during clinical placement. Learning to apply theories into practice, thinking out of the box, tailoring a dietary treatment just for the patient, taking into account all the barriers that the patient may have. No wonder I feel drain every day and always looking forward to Wednesday mornings where I get couple of hours of extra sleep (thanks to our weekly chat with our lecturer) and of course, the weekends!

Nothing much to update about what's happening in my life as you read my previous entries. Oh, met up with Sophie on Saturday for a gym session after I had a pre-Father's day lunch and a very unhealthy dinner at Fish & Co, despite all the exercising. So much for being a trainee dietitian! Anyways, I better head off and rehearse my presentation for tomorrow's case study! (I hope I don't trap myself in a corner!) and yes, please keep all the prayers coming in for my passing of Clinical placement. Kar Hian, I'm waiting for that treat when I return to Adelaide at the end of the year! *winks!*.

Ps: I promise to get some pics up soon! My blog look so B.O.R.I.N.G!

Perseverance pays!

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. ~Author Unknown

In a time as stressful as Clinical placement, the last thing on your mind is having the nagging feeling to quit! Week 3 (technically week 4) of Clinical placement has started and I feel that I am not performing up to standard. Seriously, I am not sure whether I will even pass Stage 1's assessment. However, maintaining a positive spirit does help one to push on and persevere with each week.

I am not sure whether I want to be a clinical dietitian upon graduation. However, if this part of the Lord's plan for me, I will hang in there. Soph, I love the "Don't Quit" poster that you gave me. It often reminds me not to quit when I am feeling low and unassured.

Don't Quit (Author unknown)
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill.
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down abit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learn.
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace is slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
Its when things go wrong that you must NOT QUIT!

Ps: My apologies if my recent entries have been about how clinical placement has been going for me and the lack of pics.