MasterPACES 2015

I was invited to take part in the MRCP teaching session at Sungai Buloh. I had to give it a miss last year due to other commitments but was more than happy to help out again this year.

The format of the exam remained the same although the organisation appeared better compared to yesteryear. The course also appeared to be very popular, being oversubscribed despite running at full swing for a couple of days.

I didn't attend the first day of the course since I had clinic yesterday. The Sunday program was purely a mock exam, two sessions running in the morning before lunch, and another one after. That meant I had to start early, after sorting out my ward round.

Left really early to get the rounds doneLuckily I didn't have that many to see, being able to stop by at Ara Damansara as well on the way there, reaching Hospital Sungai Buloh before 8.

Got my cases sorted out and calibrated, starting the first run before 9. Time flies as we go through the motion, me handling the abdominal and respiratory station in the morning.

It was great to catch up with a few other examiners during lunch before starting the afternoon station. That was a bit more relaxing as it was about Communications. That meant that I get to sit down while grilling the candidates.

The course went through the carousel similar to the real PACES examination with the exact timing and marking system. The candidates would then be offered feedback both by the examiners in writing as well as verbally during debriefing. That itself was worth the course fee. They also get to hear what a more junior specialist who had been tagging them throughout their stations had to say. Those tended to be more personal and intimate. Maybe their bad habits could be pointed out for future remedy.

Would definitely be attending next year if invited although I had to sort out my schedule first as things could be unpredictable at times. ‎

Going down memory lane, here are the entries from 2011 and 2012.

The New Mediplex

It was finally opened. Although I haven't learned of any fanfare. The Mediplex right next to my ward was finally opened. More of a soft launch, announced by the opening of Starbucks.

Access was straight forward as there is a dedicated lift straight from the car park. I happened to park right next to that entrance. So. This morning, I decided to have a look. No clinics. Some time to kill on the way to breakfast.

Urut Melayu .... HmmmmThe lobby straight out of the liftWelcomeI'm sure it would be manned soonFrom the entranceNice and neat. Not all the outlets were opened yet, but the food outlets at the ground floor, plus Chicken Rice Shop had already started business since a couple of weeks back. There was also a pharmacy, which ironically was selling health supplements right there. According to the list, there would be more outlet upstairs mainly for wellness. I might just try some massage.

The next thing I looked at was the Surau. We have two Surau at SJMC, one for each tower. But they were small and we're more of an afterthought rather than a purpose built room. The one at Mediplex looked to be more dedicated although I wished that it would be bigger. It was tucked in at the back of the building, right by the lift.

Starbucks of course, with staff discountI's sure this on would be popular, if the service is fast enoughMore choice, but the number of seats were limitedPlace for wudukThe praying area was still emptyIt had a separate area for wuduk which was good, but it could with a bigger area to sit and store bags and shoes. It was also still empty. Just being opened I guessed. I had yet to try it myself.

To be honest, located by my car park made getting in and out through the new building easy for me. Great for getting a quick bite on my drive home before getting stuck in the usual jam.

Let's see what else was in store when the upper floors were opened. ‎

Tutup Kedai

I have always had a love-hate relationship - mostly hate - against Ben restaurant chain. Their food was never the best, but the attitude of their staffs which got to me. Arrogant would be an understatement. As if they were a bunch of connersier.

After a couple of bad experiences, I tended to stay away from them. It didn't make much difference as they were full most of the time.

What I finally got ... some really nice meet land, with tons of ajinomoto I was sureIndeed ....So, when I went to Bangsar Village earlier - not to Ben's but to Mahbub instead, I was surprised to see the branch there had packed up. Maybe it had something to do with GST but I very much doubted that. They still have plenty of branches around town. Anyhow, I still felt the branch at Bangsar Village was somewhat iconic and it would be missed. ‎In fact, they have an outlet on the other side of Bangsar Village on the same floor, with a slightly different concept ...

It had been Quiet

Touch wood. It had been civilised thus far as my call went. A few admissions earlier and I think I might be able to catch some sleep and get on with work tomorrow. Hopefully there won't be many interruptions tonight.

I have a clinic at Park City tomorrow morning, followed by another in Subang in the afternoon. And the clinic in had been hectic lately.

As for tonight, while waiting for calls, I decided to update some of my website. I might get grumpy if I get to bed early and got woken up by a phone calls. Might as well get myself occupied.

Good night all.

The Race is Near

There was not much of a buzz around town about the coming F1 GP. Understandable since plenty of people were still thinking about the coming GST and also the recent CNY. Things were pretty quiet. As for the festivities, the coronation of Johore Sultan would likely made more of a headline in terms of who’s headlining the shows.

I was booked for some teaching program this weekend, so I would definitely not be attending. Did hear any of my friends were going as well.

I was at KLCC yesterday afternoon, and the stalls was already out. Not surprising as Petronas is one of the main if not the main sponsor. Even then, it didn’t create much of a pull to me. I did;t even bother checking the events.

Maybe the GP in Malaysia would die a slow death. I don’t think we were generating much of an income from the event. At least the Singapore GP seemed to attract more people, with more glitz. Either because it was organised in the evenings, which would likely also meant better weather, or because it was penned into the later stage pf the season when more was at stake. Either way, the organiser had to think about making the event more attractive or otherwise it would be a drag. Maybe we would be better off without it …