Dear All,
RUC'09 is on the 31st of January 2009 at PICC and we would like to invite you to join us in the biggest undergraduate conference of the year!
Did you come for RUC'08? Then you must come to RUC'09! It is bigger & better! If you miss RUC'08 then this is your chance to experience it for yourself! Go to our website and check out the pictures from RUC'08.
You can register now to confirm your place by logging on to www.RealUndergradConference.com . Registeration will close on the 23rd of January 2009.
For inquiries, please email to info@realundergradconference.com or contact 0162626740 / 743.
Come and experience the teachings & sharings. There will be;
* Great door gifts
* Fantastic conference materials
* Fun and games &
* Most importantly the skills & knowledge that you will be able to pickup at the conference that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
You will discover 5 things;
- How to have great Relationships
- Create a powerful team through Equipping
- The secret of managing your money
- How to attract success with the right Attitude &
- To become somebody from nobody through Leadership
You can register now to confirm your place by logging on to www.RealUndergradConference.com . Registeration will close on the 23rd of January 2009.
We have people from all over the country coming to RUC'09. We have people from Sabah & Langkawi! You don't want to miss it.
This is your chance to Network & make new friends! Tell everybody that you know. Let's meet up at RUC'09.
Please feel free to forward this message to all your family & friends.
Best regards & hope to see you at RUC'09!
RUC'09 secretariat
PS ~
You can register now to confirm your place by logging on to www.RealUndergradConference.com . Registeration will close on the 23rd of January 2009.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Real Undergrad Conference 2009
Ok, this conference is organized by REAL Leaders Sdn Bhd and fully supported by Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia (KPTM) and Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (PEMADAM).
I went to this conference last year, and I thought it was a very fruitful conference, I've picked up a lot of new things, met a lot of personalities that I couldn't possibly dreamt of meeting if I hadn't went to the conference (e.g.: Tun Mahathir, Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Norman KRU), and had fun, besides eating good food. My bestie, Mas, my brother, Saleh and both my cousins Ayong and Nor can vouch for it. In fact, I think Mas and Nor enjoyed it the most, as they won gifts!
Try checking out the website: www.RealUndergradConference.com
Some of the universities/colleges proposed this to their HEP, so that they're sponsored to go there. You should too!
Invite your friends, coursemates, colleagues. Everyone!
Want a great future? You should be there!
I went to this conference last year, and I thought it was a very fruitful conference, I've picked up a lot of new things, met a lot of personalities that I couldn't possibly dreamt of meeting if I hadn't went to the conference (e.g.: Tun Mahathir, Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Norman KRU), and had fun, besides eating good food. My bestie, Mas, my brother, Saleh and both my cousins Ayong and Nor can vouch for it. In fact, I think Mas and Nor enjoyed it the most, as they won gifts!
Try checking out the website: www.RealUndergradConference.com
Some of the universities/colleges proposed this to their HEP, so that they're sponsored to go there. You should too!
Invite your friends, coursemates, colleagues. Everyone!
Want a great future? You should be there!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Of Subjects and Cupcakes
I created this flyer and put it in Masjid Kampung Baru, in high hopes that the qariah masjid would turn up at the clinic.
NOBODY RESPONDED. Absolutely no one. Sad isn't it?
To think that I stayed up til 1.30 in the morning with my sister-in-law (I heart Kak Farini! xD) making cupcakes for the 'subjects'.
*For my sweetheart ;P*
Alas, only one came. Uncle Colonel Sanders. He was pretty interested with Audiology and the whole Health Sciences actually. But then, he did not qualify in being a subject!!! I was heartbroken. Okay, not that dramatic. But very frustrated.
I don't know what to do next. Will try to go to old folks' homes. Sigh.
Does anyone has an idea to help me get subjects? :(
Seriously I'm tired of this.
NOBODY RESPONDED. Absolutely no one. Sad isn't it?
To think that I stayed up til 1.30 in the morning with my sister-in-law (I heart Kak Farini! xD) making cupcakes for the 'subjects'.
*For my sweetheart ;P*
Alas, only one came. Uncle Colonel Sanders. He was pretty interested with Audiology and the whole Health Sciences actually. But then, he did not qualify in being a subject!!! I was heartbroken. Okay, not that dramatic. But very frustrated.
I don't know what to do next. Will try to go to old folks' homes. Sigh.
Does anyone has an idea to help me get subjects? :(
Seriously I'm tired of this.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Volunteerism, Anyone?
I have finally calculated on how many subjects I need for my thesis. I need 24 of them. I have tested 17 people, but as of this day, 4th January 2008, I have only gotten 12 subjects. I need 12 more!
Out of the 17 people I tested, 2 were my parents, 8 relatives (uncles and aunts), 2 of my friends' mothers (thanks Mas, Nora :)), my auntie's friend and hubby, my mom's employees, and a clerk at a school.
I don't think anyone had an inkling of an idea of how I searched for my subjects.
If I am paying my subjects, I am sure I would finish collecting data by now. The thing is, according to my supervisor, my thesis is just a small research, and there's no funding for it. No funding means the person will not get anything for that matter, in being a subject.
Initially, as I was testing my relatives, I didn't need the money. But then as time went by, it was apparent that even my relatives could not cover the total of the subjects I needed. I depended on their word of mouth regarding my thesis and also from my friends' parents. It was then that I started to get desperate.
Why? Well, people don't exactly go around by themselves to KL being research's subjects for free now, do they? They DON'T. Unless they have nothing better to do, or they're related to the researcher or they are plain voluntary. And where can we find those kind of people? The voluntary ones, I mean?
Not at school. You'd think teachers would actually be supportive to students, even if they're not their actual students. Wouldn't they understand better of what we're going through? I went to 8 schools around my college area: Titiwangsa, Kampung Baru and Danau Kota. Out of the visits, I only managed to get one subject. ONLY ONE.
One school totally rejected me, the principle denied me of any explanation as I had not gone through the ministry for approval to go rounds asking for volunteers. Come on lah. Its voluntary work, it's not like forced labor to be my subject. One headmaster condemned me for not using the UKM's letterhead when others don't even notice. That aside, he said he would participate, but when the day came, he didn't show up because he thought I was suppose to come to him, when he had so clearly read my letter the tests will be done in my clinic. Sigh.
This morning, I went to the Titiwangsa Lake Park with much determination to get 12 people. I asked my brother to accompany me. I waited around the area where there were people doing dances and nearby to the food stalls. I targeted couples, because I thought I could identify the 50 - 60 -year-olds better by looking at the husband's hair. If he has grey hair, the couple should aged around my age range.
For the first couple I approached, the wife was really friendly, but the husband quickly left her upon seeing his friend. As I talked to the wife, I made progress and gotten her phone number, and waited for the husband so that we could set an appointment. We waited and waited until finally the aunty said she'll give me a call instead. When I left them, the husband quickly ended his conversation with his friend and left with his wife. Huh! So obvious he's avoiding me! At least I got his wife's number.
There was one couple that I approached, where I did notice that the husband has completely black hair. Nevertheless, I decided to risk it, because there are 50-year-olds who look young. So I asked the wife, Salam, Puan dah umur 50 tahun ke? (Excuse me Maam, are you 50 yet?). The lady was surprised and shook her head while her husband quickly retorted, dia muda lagi la... (She's still young). I apologized repeatedly, embarrassed and went away. So sorry aunty! :(
I approached several more but was unsuccessful. One couple even has a child studying in UKM KL, and yet they do not want to be subjects! There were some where the wives were interested, but then the husbands were not, so they didn't want to be the subjects. One aunty was quite nice, she couldn't be my subject as she's not a frequent visitor, but she did reject me nicely and even said I'm cute. xD
There was one uncle who looked very pleasant and approachable; he looked like Colonel Sanders of KFC!
He was smiling to himself watching the people dance, so I approached him quickly. Jackpot! He was very willing to be my subject! But his wife wasn't, but then again she's a lefty so I didn't need her. Ha! And the uncle was nice enough to even give his friend's number. Apparently this Colonel Sanders look-alike is a friend of my ex-college principle, so he was more than happy to be involved. Soooooo nice of him to volunteer sincerely.
All in all, I only managed to get 3 numbers :( I guess it is true.
Volunteerism is so dead.
Out of the 17 people I tested, 2 were my parents, 8 relatives (uncles and aunts), 2 of my friends' mothers (thanks Mas, Nora :)), my auntie's friend and hubby, my mom's employees, and a clerk at a school.
I don't think anyone had an inkling of an idea of how I searched for my subjects.
If I am paying my subjects, I am sure I would finish collecting data by now. The thing is, according to my supervisor, my thesis is just a small research, and there's no funding for it. No funding means the person will not get anything for that matter, in being a subject.
Initially, as I was testing my relatives, I didn't need the money. But then as time went by, it was apparent that even my relatives could not cover the total of the subjects I needed. I depended on their word of mouth regarding my thesis and also from my friends' parents. It was then that I started to get desperate.
Why? Well, people don't exactly go around by themselves to KL being research's subjects for free now, do they? They DON'T. Unless they have nothing better to do, or they're related to the researcher or they are plain voluntary. And where can we find those kind of people? The voluntary ones, I mean?
Not at school. You'd think teachers would actually be supportive to students, even if they're not their actual students. Wouldn't they understand better of what we're going through? I went to 8 schools around my college area: Titiwangsa, Kampung Baru and Danau Kota. Out of the visits, I only managed to get one subject. ONLY ONE.
One school totally rejected me, the principle denied me of any explanation as I had not gone through the ministry for approval to go rounds asking for volunteers. Come on lah. Its voluntary work, it's not like forced labor to be my subject. One headmaster condemned me for not using the UKM's letterhead when others don't even notice. That aside, he said he would participate, but when the day came, he didn't show up because he thought I was suppose to come to him, when he had so clearly read my letter the tests will be done in my clinic. Sigh.
This morning, I went to the Titiwangsa Lake Park with much determination to get 12 people. I asked my brother to accompany me. I waited around the area where there were people doing dances and nearby to the food stalls. I targeted couples, because I thought I could identify the 50 - 60 -year-olds better by looking at the husband's hair. If he has grey hair, the couple should aged around my age range.
For the first couple I approached, the wife was really friendly, but the husband quickly left her upon seeing his friend. As I talked to the wife, I made progress and gotten her phone number, and waited for the husband so that we could set an appointment. We waited and waited until finally the aunty said she'll give me a call instead. When I left them, the husband quickly ended his conversation with his friend and left with his wife. Huh! So obvious he's avoiding me! At least I got his wife's number.
There was one couple that I approached, where I did notice that the husband has completely black hair. Nevertheless, I decided to risk it, because there are 50-year-olds who look young. So I asked the wife, Salam, Puan dah umur 50 tahun ke? (Excuse me Maam, are you 50 yet?). The lady was surprised and shook her head while her husband quickly retorted, dia muda lagi la... (She's still young). I apologized repeatedly, embarrassed and went away. So sorry aunty! :(
I approached several more but was unsuccessful. One couple even has a child studying in UKM KL, and yet they do not want to be subjects! There were some where the wives were interested, but then the husbands were not, so they didn't want to be the subjects. One aunty was quite nice, she couldn't be my subject as she's not a frequent visitor, but she did reject me nicely and even said I'm cute. xD
There was one uncle who looked very pleasant and approachable; he looked like Colonel Sanders of KFC!
He was smiling to himself watching the people dance, so I approached him quickly. Jackpot! He was very willing to be my subject! But his wife wasn't, but then again she's a lefty so I didn't need her. Ha! And the uncle was nice enough to even give his friend's number. Apparently this Colonel Sanders look-alike is a friend of my ex-college principle, so he was more than happy to be involved. Soooooo nice of him to volunteer sincerely.All in all, I only managed to get 3 numbers :( I guess it is true.
Volunteerism is so dead.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Phantom Sound
Have you ever experienced hearing sounds in your ears which you are so sure that nobody else is hearing it as well? It could be a ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whispering, blowing of the wind sound, or to quote a patient, dengar orang mengaji dalam telinga (hearing someone recite the Quran). That last part was quite random, but for the other sounds, they are quite common complaints. In fact, my niece and partner are experiencing the ringing sounds.
This hearing symptom is called tinnitus. Tinnitus is sound heard in the ears which are not externally stimulated. It is a phantom auditory perception. Almost everyone has tinnitus; but it could either be normal tinnitus or pathological tinnitus.
Normal tinnitus is experienced by most people. It occurs less than 5 minutes, less than once a week and is not associated with hearing loss.
On the other hand, pathological tinnitus occurs more than 5 minutes, more than once a week and usually heard by people with hearing loss. The severity ranges from acceptable to unacceptable. By acceptable means that the sounds do not disturb you from doing tasks, while unacceptable means the sounds affect you to a point you have to stop doing whatever you are doing whenever it occurs. In this case, it is very frustrating for that person.
The duration of the tinnitus could be temporary, occurring only at a certain position and situation (e.g. when you're lying on your bed, preparing to sleep; when you're in a very noisy place). It could also be permanent, meaning it's there 24/7.
The causes of tinnitus varies: it could be due to noise exposure, Meniere's Disease, medication, food intake, lots of ear wax and idiopathic (unknown), even.
Usually, if the sounds heard are high pitched in nature, it is usually associated with high frequency hearing loss, while low pitch tinnitus relates to low frequency hearing loss. That's why if you are experiencing this symptom, it is advisable to immediately have your hearing assessed, as to ensure that your hearing is not affected and is not the cause of the tinnitus.
Referring to the pamphlet my coursemates did for our Audiology Seminar, there are several approaches for tinnitus management and treatment. They are:
1. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) that includes directive/retraining counseling and sound therapy;
2. Masking of tinnitus using hearing aids (for those with hearing loss, of course), tinnitus maskers (apparently downloadable), tinnitus instruments;
3. Medication such as anti-depressant, anti-convulsant (tegretol, phenytoin, mysoline, depakene), anti-histamine (meclizine), vasodilators (gingko biloba, niacin);
4. Psychological treatment of cognitive therapy, cognitive restructuring, attention diversion techniques, imagery training, relaxation training, hypnosis;
5. Other treatments: TinniTool (developed in Switzerland, see picture below); Neuromonic; biofeedback; and electrical stimulation.
One particular treatment I would like to stress on would be the Sound Therapy as it is an easy, self-practised approach. The therapy facilitates tinnitus habituation by weakening the tinnitus signal. Patient is instructed to avoid silence and to enrich the background noise by listening to music, using table-top sound machines or wearable sound generators.
For the medication part, it is strongly advised to get them as medically consulted.
*Compliments to Chan Soon Chien, Suriya Mohamad, Tan Ping Meng and Ong Chun Suan @ the Purple Phantom :)
This hearing symptom is called tinnitus. Tinnitus is sound heard in the ears which are not externally stimulated. It is a phantom auditory perception. Almost everyone has tinnitus; but it could either be normal tinnitus or pathological tinnitus.
Normal tinnitus is experienced by most people. It occurs less than 5 minutes, less than once a week and is not associated with hearing loss.
On the other hand, pathological tinnitus occurs more than 5 minutes, more than once a week and usually heard by people with hearing loss. The severity ranges from acceptable to unacceptable. By acceptable means that the sounds do not disturb you from doing tasks, while unacceptable means the sounds affect you to a point you have to stop doing whatever you are doing whenever it occurs. In this case, it is very frustrating for that person.
The duration of the tinnitus could be temporary, occurring only at a certain position and situation (e.g. when you're lying on your bed, preparing to sleep; when you're in a very noisy place). It could also be permanent, meaning it's there 24/7.
The causes of tinnitus varies: it could be due to noise exposure, Meniere's Disease, medication, food intake, lots of ear wax and idiopathic (unknown), even.
Usually, if the sounds heard are high pitched in nature, it is usually associated with high frequency hearing loss, while low pitch tinnitus relates to low frequency hearing loss. That's why if you are experiencing this symptom, it is advisable to immediately have your hearing assessed, as to ensure that your hearing is not affected and is not the cause of the tinnitus.
Referring to the pamphlet my coursemates did for our Audiology Seminar, there are several approaches for tinnitus management and treatment. They are:
1. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) that includes directive/retraining counseling and sound therapy;
2. Masking of tinnitus using hearing aids (for those with hearing loss, of course), tinnitus maskers (apparently downloadable), tinnitus instruments;
3. Medication such as anti-depressant, anti-convulsant (tegretol, phenytoin, mysoline, depakene), anti-histamine (meclizine), vasodilators (gingko biloba, niacin);
4. Psychological treatment of cognitive therapy, cognitive restructuring, attention diversion techniques, imagery training, relaxation training, hypnosis;
5. Other treatments: TinniTool (developed in Switzerland, see picture below); Neuromonic; biofeedback; and electrical stimulation.
One particular treatment I would like to stress on would be the Sound Therapy as it is an easy, self-practised approach. The therapy facilitates tinnitus habituation by weakening the tinnitus signal. Patient is instructed to avoid silence and to enrich the background noise by listening to music, using table-top sound machines or wearable sound generators.
For the medication part, it is strongly advised to get them as medically consulted.
*Compliments to Chan Soon Chien, Suriya Mohamad, Tan Ping Meng and Ong Chun Suan @ the Purple Phantom :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Kiss of Deaf
Someone sent me an e-mail, regarding a girl who got a kiss of deaf from her boyfriend. I guess that particular someone thought it might interest me as it is related to the field of hearing, and it did. Read on first before going through my thoughts :)
A young Chinese woman was left partially deaf following a passionate kiss from herboyfriend.
The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.
The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.
"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.
The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.
"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."
The chorus of warnings was echoed by the Shanghai Daily, which wrote: "A strong kiss may cause an imbalance in the air pressure between two inner ears and lead to a broken ear drum."
The young woman is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months.
Upon reading this, I just thought, there are so many holes in the story!
Did the girl realize she has hearing loss exactly after she kissed that guy? Was it her first time kissing her boyfriend? If it wasn't, was the kisses they had before were not as passionate as that 'kiss of deaf'? What was the girl's hearing history? Was the doctor even an ENT doctor?
It was reported that the girl is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months. What is the nature of the hearing loss? Conductive (temporary) hearing loss? Sensorineural hearing loss, meaning that it is sudden hearing loss?
These are just some of the questions that are flowing through my mind. It is just so bizarre! Especially since it is the first time I heard of this.
If it is really possible, then I advise all passionate kissers to take note. You won't want to be a deaf kisser now would you? ;P
xoxo!
A young Chinese woman was left partially deaf following a passionate kiss from herboyfriend.
The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.
The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.
"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.
The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.
"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."
The chorus of warnings was echoed by the Shanghai Daily, which wrote: "A strong kiss may cause an imbalance in the air pressure between two inner ears and lead to a broken ear drum."
The young woman is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months.
Upon reading this, I just thought, there are so many holes in the story!
Did the girl realize she has hearing loss exactly after she kissed that guy? Was it her first time kissing her boyfriend? If it wasn't, was the kisses they had before were not as passionate as that 'kiss of deaf'? What was the girl's hearing history? Was the doctor even an ENT doctor?
It was reported that the girl is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months. What is the nature of the hearing loss? Conductive (temporary) hearing loss? Sensorineural hearing loss, meaning that it is sudden hearing loss?
These are just some of the questions that are flowing through my mind. It is just so bizarre! Especially since it is the first time I heard of this.
If it is really possible, then I advise all passionate kissers to take note. You won't want to be a deaf kisser now would you? ;P
xoxo!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Ladies, We Can Make a Difference!
Come join me, Nor, and many others to The Pink Sisterhood!
This one is all about breast cancer, which everyone knows is one of the most life-threatening diseases today. I’m doing my part in spreading awareness on breast cancer by sharing some scary yet so very true facts on breast cancer. Ladies, do take note!
* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.
* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54,
and the second cause of cancer death in women aged 55 to 74.
* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation
(before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral
contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.
* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly
mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival. Above facts taken from
Women’s Health Organisation Forum.
And now here is the tag and the rules:
1. Put the logo in your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
I would like to share this specially with: -
1. Mas
2. Fadilah
3. Nora
4. Ayu
5. Atiqah
6. mashanapi
*and 1 more soon to come. I just realized I am not an avid blog follower. Just wrapped up in my own little world. Note to self: it's not just about you! hehe.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
If At First You Don't Succeed, Dust Yourself Off and Try Again
I recently had my clinical exam. I was given an adult case. In the clinical exam, I have to perform basic audiology assessments which are otoscopy examination (to check the outer ear), acoustic immittance test (to check the middle ear and auditory pathway) and also the pure tone audiometry (hearing test). One hour was given to complete all that including giving feedback to the patient.
I had about two weeks to prepare for my session. So I studied and studied and hungout a few times in between studying. By the time it was my turn, I thought I was ready. Nervous, but ready. I thought that I had it in me to do well.
On that day, fate decided otherwise. I had an army as my patient; from the moment I was seated on the chair across him, he was hitting on me. Because of his irrelevant, inappropriate, unprofessional and gross behavior, I became a wreck. My nerves could not settle and I was so uncomfortable, I wanted to finish the session. Fast.
It wasn't a session I would treasure in my heart, and I don't feel like telling everybody who bothers to read this blog what I went through. But basically I didn't do well and the lecturers thought they were giving me a chance to repeat and perform my usual best.
Chance? Haha. If they hadn't given me that kind of patient in the first place, I don't think I would have needed to repeat. They even told me it was a good experience, something that I had experience first ahead of my coursemates. Ha ha. Aren't they just funny? At least they admitted that I am one of the best student. Thus, my ego was not totally bruised.
Oh, the lecturers also told me that, my session with the army was his third visit to the clinic. For the first session, it was with a male lecturer (so of course he wouldn't be hitting on him); second with a third-year student, and he didn't show the unnecessary behavior. Only with my session that guy behaved like that, which was a surprise to the lecturers as well. I concluded it was due to my natural beauty and adorableness that got him to act like he did. Another ego-booster, and yet the thought does not comfort me.
Looking back at it positively, maybe there is a reason on why I have to repeat. Maybe it is a way of telling me that there will be days when I can't be on top all the time. Sometimes you have to fall to appreciate success. And by repeating, I am going to study a lot more, and strengthen my knowledge.
Thanks to everyone who supported me, especially Nor. You're the best :)
I had about two weeks to prepare for my session. So I studied and studied and hungout a few times in between studying. By the time it was my turn, I thought I was ready. Nervous, but ready. I thought that I had it in me to do well.
On that day, fate decided otherwise. I had an army as my patient; from the moment I was seated on the chair across him, he was hitting on me. Because of his irrelevant, inappropriate, unprofessional and gross behavior, I became a wreck. My nerves could not settle and I was so uncomfortable, I wanted to finish the session. Fast.
It wasn't a session I would treasure in my heart, and I don't feel like telling everybody who bothers to read this blog what I went through. But basically I didn't do well and the lecturers thought they were giving me a chance to repeat and perform my usual best.
Chance? Haha. If they hadn't given me that kind of patient in the first place, I don't think I would have needed to repeat. They even told me it was a good experience, something that I had experience first ahead of my coursemates. Ha ha. Aren't they just funny? At least they admitted that I am one of the best student. Thus, my ego was not totally bruised.
Oh, the lecturers also told me that, my session with the army was his third visit to the clinic. For the first session, it was with a male lecturer (so of course he wouldn't be hitting on him); second with a third-year student, and he didn't show the unnecessary behavior. Only with my session that guy behaved like that, which was a surprise to the lecturers as well. I concluded it was due to my natural beauty and adorableness that got him to act like he did. Another ego-booster, and yet the thought does not comfort me.
Looking back at it positively, maybe there is a reason on why I have to repeat. Maybe it is a way of telling me that there will be days when I can't be on top all the time. Sometimes you have to fall to appreciate success. And by repeating, I am going to study a lot more, and strengthen my knowledge.
Thanks to everyone who supported me, especially Nor. You're the best :)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Live Your Life
I am relating so much to this song after I went through my clinical exams.
Just as a motivation to self, even though the lyrics don't exactly reflect what I went through.
I especially liked the opening quotes in the videoclip.
Feel free to watch and listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQiQSaDs9aQ
Just as a motivation to self, even though the lyrics don't exactly reflect what I went through.
I especially liked the opening quotes in the videoclip.
Feel free to watch and listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQiQSaDs9aQ
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Sweet Nothing in My Ear
I was going to study Hearing Aids when I took a breakie to see what movie my sister was watching. I immediately decided to watch the whole movie when I saw it was about a deaf child (naturally).
The movie is entitled as the above, starring Jeff Daniels, the only actor I recognized. It was released early this year (I think) and I watched it on HBO. Here's a synopsis of the movie.
It's about a couple, normal hearing husband (Dan) and deaf wife (Laura) with a deaf child (Adam). Adam is 8 years old. He was not born deaf; he lost his hearing at the age of 4 and had speech. Since then, he didn't use his voice at all and had been using sign language taught by his mother to communicate with his parents and other people who knows that language.
Laura was also born deaf to deaf parents. Her father was a writer who's very passionate about the deaf culture. He thought deaf people should only use sign language and those wearing amplification of hearing aids and cochlear implants are people who are ashamed to be deaf. He also thought that normal hearing people are prejudiced against the deaf people. Dan thought his father-in-law never really accepted him.
Anyway.
One day, Adam hurt himself while running for his balloon amidst shouts from Dan, which Adam of course could not hear. Dan brought him to the emergency room and told the doctor what happened. The doctor suggested for Dan to consider cochlear implants but Dan flat out refused, saying he accepted Adam the way he is.
Fast forward, Dan became interested in cochlear implants but this interest was not shared with Laura. Laura didn't think cochlear implants is the best option for Adam, even when she saw herself an implanted child during the switch-on session (switch-on session is the time when the electrodes implanted in the cochlear are activated). She just thought of the possibilities on how the implant would not benefit Adam, instead of the many opportunities Adam can have if he was implanted.
The idea of cochlear implants on Adam made the couple grew distant. Dan badly wanted Adam to hear again while Laura is the opposite. She even said to her friend, 'Maybe it would have been easier if Adam was born deaf' (omg!). Even both their parents noticed that there's something going on between Dan and Laura.
During a family dinner, as Dan passed the mashed potatoes to Adam, Adam suddenly said, 'Daddy' repeatedly and 'Daddy, thank you'. Everyone at the table was speechless (hihi! Pun intended. Ok, ok, they were shocked). As Dan answered his phone, Laura and her parents (who were also there) went to the kitchen to discuss about Adam suddenly speaking. As they fought using sign-language, Laura's parents then confessed that Laura actually had hearing as well when she was born. They didn't want to tell Laura that because they want Laura to believe that she was born deaf like them too (Adoy. Very proud deaf people, aren't they?)
Later on, as Dan and Laura were not seeing eye-to-eye on things anymore, they filed for a divorce and fought for custody battle. Dan admitted that if he gets Adam, he will have him implanted while Laura on the other hand said she will let him be deaf as he is.
I didn't like the ending. They didn't show what was the judge's decision. Instead, Dan went to see Laura and they reconciled. The end. No cochlear implant. No Adam growing up unimplanted and signing away. Duh.
I have to admit, it was pretty nice I guess, for a movie showing a part of audiologist scope of work. Good to learn how to give informative counseling and also on understanding parents with hearing impaired children. There are just so many issues to consider.
It was pretty cool how they always correct people who said 'deaf' to 'hearing impaired'. Deaf is just too blunt a word.
It was also cool how the movie showed how the hearing impaired people live- captions in a movie so that they too can watch movies in the cinema; and assistive listening device like the door alarm, where when the doorbell rings, the lights in the house will blink repeatedly.
Recommend it to everyone in the audiology field especially. I think we could always learn a thing or two from it.
Ok back to hearing aids, hehe.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Clinical Exam Fever
What are the chances of seeing the very word that I will be tested upon on a lorry?
Especially audiology terms?
Like, ZERO right?
But of course, chances are just chances.
Fate has decided to let me actually see the word RCG on a lorry.
Yeah, lorry.
How odd was that.
Except of course, I'm sure it means something else. But FYI, in audiology, RCG means Required Coupler Gain, of which we calculate to determine the amplification for hearing aids, in simpler terms.
I didn't know what the RCG on the lorry means as I think my heart stopped beating for a sec seeing the word. I was speechless. Honestly I did not want to know what it means anyway.
Basically, I think it's a sign for me to STUDY.
Okay, okay, I get it.
But I still want to watch a movie with bestie tomorrow. Haha.
Pray for me please! :(
Especially audiology terms?
Like, ZERO right?
But of course, chances are just chances.
Fate has decided to let me actually see the word RCG on a lorry.
Yeah, lorry.
How odd was that.
Except of course, I'm sure it means something else. But FYI, in audiology, RCG means Required Coupler Gain, of which we calculate to determine the amplification for hearing aids, in simpler terms.
I didn't know what the RCG on the lorry means as I think my heart stopped beating for a sec seeing the word. I was speechless. Honestly I did not want to know what it means anyway.
Basically, I think it's a sign for me to STUDY.
Okay, okay, I get it.
But I still want to watch a movie with bestie tomorrow. Haha.
Pray for me please! :(
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