thankful

Alrightey, I'm a bitter person no more. T'was a phase. Or at least I think so.

Someone kindly reminded me that:

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination:) how can you know the joy of being on the summit, unless you have first visited the lowest valleys. Remember your thoughts are living bundles of energy ^-^ keep smiling Alia, you are one of the most optimistic people people I know:D"

So, having to live up to those expectations of being one of the most optimistic people known, I shall keep and stay energized, enthusiastic and upbeat throughout even being in the lowest valleys. Thank you:)

Nucleotide Metabolism topic this week opened my eyes and mind to lessons beyond the classroom.

Say hello to Biochem 101:) In order to make the DNA, we must first make nucleotides. And if one enzyme is missing within that process of making nucleotides, it can have absolutely lethal outcome. For example, the deficiency of Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase (HGPRT), an enzyme.

The outcome of not having this enzyme would be: Lesch Nyhan sydrome. The effects are severe gout (accumulation of toxic uric acid in your body), hyperuricemia, aggressive behaviour and many more. But most horrifyingly is that it causes self-mutilation.

Mutilate: to destroy or injure severely. Oneself. So the people would be biting their lips, their nose, their arms until they bleed and flesh is seen. The thing is, they would start gnawing at their knuckles if you don't place protection like boxing gloves on their hands. Faz opened a video of self-mutilation and it showed a case in Phillipines where this boy was just nonstop trying to bite himself. The doctor was explaining during the documentary (but of course we couldn't understand Tagalog) and snippets of the vid showed the mother crying her heart out. It was heart breaking...

I learnt:

1. To be sincerely thankful that God made my body as a whole. That my one enzyme HGPRT is not missing so that PRPP does not accumulate and IMP nor GMP is deficient in my body. I'm grateful that I can think, eat, stand all pretty much independently without having to worry my parents on whether I'd be ripping out my fingers.

2. That being a doctor in the future, there are so many (scary) diseases and illnesses you'd be facing. You need stable hands, a sincere heart and strong head (ie mind).

3. That one small building block deficient can result to terrifyingly huge consequences.

Most of all, I learnt not to be bitter. Because there are just too many other things to be thankful for.

Grand master plan: 1 more week.

bitter

I feel like I'm turning into a bitter person filled with repressed hurt, regret, and anger:(

Someone save me, please.

I need endorphin boosters. I need a way out.

Absolutely Magical!

Hello Genting Highlands!:)

Toastmasters held its KL Semi-Annual Convention in Genting from 23rd to 25th October. Due to my duties elsewhere and since I was mostly only looking forward to watching the final Humorous and Evaluation Speech Contest, my dad picked me up from Cyberjaya and drove me all the way to Genting Highlands.

It was worth it. As truly in line with the theme, it was "Absolutely Magical!"

And here we are, finally!

I attended the Gala Dinner which was on the final night. Managed to meet a few people but of course, me being only a 10-month old member, was not recognized by many. Just wait til the next speech competition, I shalt be known!:D During the Gala night however, I met Pei Leng (Intelligent Speakers Club) and Choi San (MIM KL and Division P3 Gov) and sat with them for dinner. I had to be separated from Ahmad and my dad. But Pei Leng and Choi San were such dears, explaining things I didn't know and keeping me company throughout:)

Choi San and I:)

This morning's competition was the grand finale of the month long Humorous and Evaluation Speech marathon. This was the magical event I was looking forward to the most because district level's speakers has one of the highest qualities of speeches. Needless to say, I was mesmerized!

My KPI: Marianna Pascal, Champion of Humorous Speech Contest

The Champion for Humorous Speech Contest: Marianna Pascal from a Toastmasters' Club in Johor. Her humorous speech entitled "Local English or Standard English?" revealed Malaysia's colourful rojak language and how foreigners found them extremely hard to understand. Like how her foreign friend was going to work at a restaurant, her manager asked her to make fruit juice with the blender and fruits and instructed her, "Put in the fruits after switch on." (you have to intonate it clearly to see the punch line). But her perplexed friend understood it as "Put in the fruits after you switch on the blender". Of course, a mishap occurred:P the real meaning was the "Put in the fruits after that switch it on." Lol. You had to be there:)

The Humorous and Evaluation Speech contest certainly fueled my spirit to enter the International Speech Contest next year! In fact, my dad has already booked the tickets to Miri for the next convention in May. Of course, it may take a few failures to get to the top but I'm all ready for that.

Toastmasters' ISC 2010, say hello to Alia Nadhirah!:)

Self Reassurance

Dr Hatta, the Dean of MBBS at our university, came by during our case study and gave a short speech. He told us that at this moment in time, some of us might feel that we're unsure that we are in the right course (ie Medicine). He continued: "What must you do? Kene pujuk hati."

So here's my self assurance.

Dear Alia,

Sometimes you might feel that the workload is overwhelming and the marks are not that encouraging. The classes are sometimes incomprehensible and at times even after reading the same paragraph 3 times, you might still not be able to understand. You might not be able to easily remember after only reading once. You may be targeted to answer a question but you won't know. You might be asked something beyond your knowledge and be criticized at your incompetency. You might have to take the plunge and look like an idiot not knowing what to do because you can't recall the examples of ketogenic and glucogenic amino acids. You might be torn in two and have to choose between duty and responsibility.

But it's okay.

Remember why you wanted to take medicine in the first place. Your great dreams- you are now steps closer to changing the world one smile at a time. You are going to fall, you are going to fail, you are going to be frazzled, frustrated and fearful. It's normal. In the end, life is about making a difference. Enjoy the journey and make a change along the way by taking each day at a time and focusing on the present.

There are so many people willing to take your hand to hold you up and just as many to catch you when you experience myocardium infarction and fall to the ground. They are going to be there when you cry and feel like giving in. They are going to lend a shoulder when you feel like the world's weight is on your back.

Don't forget prayer is very important. You've been forgetting that your greatest strength comes from the do'a and Allah's will.

Never give up. When a person truly desires something, the world will conspire to help realize her dreams.Remember, if the going is easy, take care: you may be headed downhill.

19th to 24th

This week's achievements:

1. Learnt some more cooking recipes, courtesy of my mom's enthusiastic shopping spree and Faz's culinary skills. I am steps closer to becoming a better "cooker" and surpassing the person who THINKS they're a KPI just because they can cook butter chicken and salmon.
   
   
2. Attended Sunathon (Sunat Marathon: Mass Circumcision) Training. Practiced on how to do Clean and Drape, apply Local Anesthesia and suture on skin and tube. I didn't realized applying anesthesia was that complicated. Suturing was fun though! We were practicing on a tubing (a 'model' in replacement for the male genitalia) and using real suturing equipments. Njh Faz and Fifi who were sitting next to us were gossiping about how me and Cah were looking so serious on doing the suturing like we were doing a heart transplant. They, on the other hand, were profusely apologizing ("Sorry adik, sorry adik)" to the tubing.
   
   
3. Just now we had yet another Medical training- Basic Life Support. We learnt the steps of DR ABC - Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation. It was honestly really interesting and Prof Ikram was undeniably adorable in demonstrating BLS to a baby:) Tomorrow we'll be having Medical Checkup training. For the first time I'll be using my very own stethoscope!:D
   
   
4. My grand master plan is still on its way... I have managed to do more research and enhanced the details of my plan. I'm really pleased because I came across great resources; exactly what I needed! My housemates are really perplexed at what I'm planning. Don't worry lahh, I'll let it out to the whole world once it's more or less organized:)
   
   
5. Biochemistry this week was fun though as always my marks are unsatisfactory:( Due to the many long processes that we needed to memorize, some of us had come up with methods which some I found were extremely interesting. Syafiqah 'Agag' Shuhel taught me a really awesome way to memorize the Krebs Cycle. Thanks to you, I've memorized all components! Thank you darling:D So here goes the Kreb's Cycle:
   
   Cipan Idaman Akak Succi Suke Family Mak Orang
   Take the first letter of the word and voila!...
   Citrate, Isocitrate, Alpha Ketoglutarate, Succinyl CoA, Succinate, Fumarate, Malate and Oxaloacetate.
   
   Omg you're awesome, Agag!:D

I'd say it has been a very productive week... More goals I'm looking forward to achieve next week!

Motivated!

For the past few weeks, I have been feeling quite inadequate and unaccomplished. For this week, I've set out goals, found inspiration and ultimately feel extremely motivated at the end of 5 days!

1. I suddenly had the drive to cook this week. Yes, I did not actually know how to cook "filling" meals. I've learnt how to cook Nasi Goreng Cina, Kampung, Pataya within these 5 days, under the supervision of Faz, Sara and Cah. My culinary spirit has finally realized that it's been dormant for far too long and has now surfaced (I knew I had it in me... somewhere). 1 Exp level UP!

2. My sudden cooking spree has enabled me to save more! Unprecedentedly, I had to pay the RM38 bill for the month. Seeing that I only hold rm50 per week, I was only left with rm12 on Monday itself. I can't believe it but I really did survive with rm12 for 5 days with rm3 saved. It's amazing what you can do when you realize how much you want to save. Although I didn't reach the rm20 that I was targeting per week, I'm really proud of myself:)

3. Dr Hirji Adenwalla's story had such an astronomical impact on me that I am now inspired to embark on a personal mission. The secret I will indulge only after the execution of my action plan. Rest assured, whether it is a success or a failure, I will blog about it. I am honestly excited about it and have been thinking about it nonstop since the revelation on this awesome project!

4. Biochemistry, so far my dreaded subject because of the "chemistry", has really sucked the soul out of me and left me wriggling like a fish gasping for air (this has taken all logic out; but this is what biochem does to you). Even then, Alhamdulillah, I managed to scrape an A- for the week assessment. Most surprising because this is my first A out of tests of Anatomy and Physiology.

I think it's because I've been so motivated with my savings, Dr Hirji and my cuisine-creating development. Plus, I found out about your story and I found out that you're still alive; that inspired me as well. You know who you are:)

"Find your motivation and thou shalt find thyself" -me

Selfless: Dr Hirji Adenwalla

He has got to be one of the most amazing man I've ever heard of. I want to be just like this. Surgeries free of charge and getting money from giving speeches!

Smile Train Partner Spotlight

A Man On A Mission: Decades Of Helping Children Who Have No Place Else To Turn.

The Webster's Dictionary definition of "selfless" — "without regard for one's own interests" — is certainly clear and concise. Should the dictionary ever desire an alternate definition, however, it might want to consider three words: "Doctor Hirji Adenwalla."

To know Dr. Adenwalla is to understand that no one, anywhere, is more emblematic of the word "selfless." What better way to describe a unique man who, as head of the Charles Pinto Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate in Kerala, India for the more than 40 years, has devoted his considerable skills to improving — some might say "salvaging" — the lives of more than 7,000 underprivileged children by giving them the life-transforming ability to smile. Equally remarkable, Dr. Adenwalla has performed every one of these surgeries himself, free of charge, on a budget historically so modest that much of it has resulted from speaking fees. He typically spends his annual vacation making speeches to social service organizations in order to raise funds for the Centre.

Since 2001, the first year that The Smile Train was privileged to provide the Charles Pinto Centre with funding, Dr. Adenwalla has performed cleft lip and palate repair on more than 2,000 children who would otherwise have never received it.

"With the help of The Smile Train, we're able to reach out to many more children and change many more lives." says Dr Adenwalla. "I am very excited about what the future holds for this partnership."

A longtime professional associate described the Charles Pinto Centre's work as "truly remarkable,"and Dr. Adenwalla as "a legendary surgeon who has touched thousands of lives with his heart, his head and his hands. A very rare combination of huge talent and tiny ego."

Dr. Adenwalla himself, of course, dismisses such praise and deflects all compliments. But he reveals at least a part of what motivates him in a speech he made recently at a Smile Train Celebration of 100,000 Smiles, "The lessons that we learn from human misery are to love�To never forget and to never, never look away."

WAK

Sayang,

Sorry for the lack of a "WOW!" birthday present. The poem could have been much better if not for the fact that Physiology Finals are inducing excessive stress neurotransmitters. And also, it's a bit mixed up with another poem I had in mind which was in reply to your ANadh poem.

Say hi to Wammey for me:P

Happy Birthday my dear:)

WAlina

Alina;

Sorry hun, I just only came across your blog update because you've not been updating:(

Thank you dear. It brought me close to tears.

ANADH

victory

I like this.

How do you imagine the taste of victory? � sweetness of triumph and jubilation, spiced up by determination, sacrifice and rush of adrenaline in dire situations � an intoxicating concoction that accelerates the rate and volume of secretion from the salivary glands (of those who aspire).

I want to taste it.

Always be there

Maher Zain

Watching is unnecessary. Listen to the lyrics.

if i were pregnant

I heard the most amazing speech ever given in my entire life of witnessing speeches.

We had a normal MIM Toastmasters meeting yesterday morning. However, it was anything but normal. In every toastmasters meeting, there is a session called the Table Topics session. For this meeting, I was the Table Topics master and so my role was to prepare topics for volunteers to talk about for two minutes. It's basically to help people practice thinking and speaking on their feet.

When TT session came, I said that "there are times in our lives we wish to be someone else... and so my theme for the topics was 'If I were...' " The people who came up front had to randomly choose a character from a card. My variety were:

• Wizard
• Radio
• Colonel Sanders
• Walt Disney
• Pregnant
• Reporter
• Bill Gates
• Tooth Fairy
• Vampire

I was snickering on who would be the one lucky enough to get "pregnant".

During our meeting, there were guests from Confucion school, about 12 of them (teachers and students included). So when the time came for me to ask for a volunteer, the 5th speaker, in the form of the only boy from Confucion School, shot his hand right up. He looked very quiet and reserved, did not show any eye contact neither did he really smile. When the probably-15-year-old chose a card, yes you guessed it, he got the topic "If I were pregnant". The audience erupted in laughter! And everyone eagerly leaned forward to hear what exactly this boy would come up with.

I think at first he was a bit dumbfounded as well because he slowly said "If I were pregnant..." He had a far away look and stared at the floor most of the time. But suddenly he kept on going without any stutters or stammering.

If I were pregnant.... I would look after my child (pause).... like how my mother looked after me. My parents got divorced when I was very young. My father abused my mother and hurt her a lot. We had to go to court and my father was fighting rights to take us as his children. He said that our mother abuses us. My mother also fought for us and in the end, she won. So if I were pregnant, I would protect my child. Because no matter what happens, you know that there will always be someone who shares your blood which is your mother.

There was a pin drop silence throughout the whole 2 minutes. Everyone was holding their breath. I swear I could feel tears welling. After he ended his speech, the audience erupted in a thunderous applause! People were shaking their heads in disbelief and smiling at the same time. I was momentarily speechless and all I could say after his speech was "That was a WOW speech". The applause carried on for the second time and everyone were astounded by that moving speech.

That was the best speech I have ever heard.

And not surprisingly, his was voted as Best Table Topics Speech.

NB: what I wrote wasn't two minutes but the basic gist of it. I was too caught up in emotions to fully remember his whole speech.

heroes

Nothing makes you feel appreciate life more than learning Physiology. Once you learn the the function of every system and every organ involved and all the tissues within that organ and all cells, right down to the molecular level; it is honestly so amazing.

What struck me most was when we were studying about pain receptors. It brought back the Immune System topic from the previous year. Although Immune System was probably the most complicated out of all topics, I loved it so much simply because of the processes that happened and how your body fights for you.

Take for example inflammation. When you have a harmful substance like a sharp pin penetrating into your skin; the cells there will be alerted and desperately (as I imagine) send out signals. The aplomb and suave macrophages also signal for more backup. Backup arrives almost immediately in the form of increased blood flow, consisting of platelets, white blood cells, all coming to your (specifically your skin tissue's) rescue. In a heroic attempt to combat those harmful substances, your blood vessels splurge out a whole amount of fluid and your heroes start warding off the foreign substance. The phagocytes all with angry faces (at least in my drawings) instantly begin eating up all the baddies whilst at the same time, platelets start repairing back the damaged tissue. After all the drama, there is only pus or what's left of the war zone; dead white blood cells, and cell debris... Proof of their undying devotion to always help you.

Honestly, that's how I imagine it. (That's basically the process of inflammation; but don't take my word for it, I'm only recalling and as we all know, Prof says not to trust your brain). It's just that when I visualize it that way, it makes me so amazed that no matter what kind of injury or harm that is inflicted onto you, your saviours will come to your rescue no matter what. You can bet on it. (Unless of course they are mutated or something but that's a whole different story). So if there's one thing you can depend on, it's your immune system.

If ever you feel unloved, pinch yourself and see the red mark (the cells would signal for more blood flow) so you know they are all coming to your rescue. Know that at least the mast cells are looking out for you without fail and the phagocytes would eat up those hurting you all the time. Would any guy EAT anyone who hurts you? I think not.

Immune system: our heroes. Love your body, look after it well, learn to appreciate:)

DMMGM

I have recently acquired a new nickname. DMMGM; pronounced "Damage 'Em". Very suitable especially for someone like me who's in Team M16. But being in the team was not the reason I was nicknamed so.

Throughout my almost 19 years of living, nicknames have been cropping up here and there. I've always been called Alia and very seldom do people call me Nadhirah; except my eldest brother and occasionally my dad. In my college now and since high school, there have been a number of 'Alia's and so when I wanted to enter first year mbbs, I thought of switching my name to Nadhirah. But I guess it was a bit too lengthy and people were stuck associating me with the name "Alia". I didn't exactly respond very well to the name Nadhirah. So Alia stuck.

I got the most nicknames in high school. Who wouldn't have? It was probably the craziest time of my life. So, gathering the nicknames together, I have decided that there are two categories of nicknames:

1. Nicknames associated with your real name:

Of course Nicknamer Iman gave me the most- ranging from Ally, Als to "door banger" and "the swallower" (on account that they PERCEIVE I'm a fast eater and apparently don't chew on my food..). Caaliya is what Fuddy calls me; solely because Siraj was trying to spell my name as Kak Alia and she saw the misspelling... and it stuck. Sharaf calls me Nad. Nurul gave me McAlister (I think) and up to one point "Kuachi" because she was named Dodol and Rasya was named Sotong because of some triad thing; but most of the time I'm Nunu's darling hunny bear sayang or "anakku". Nabil calls me Dira- as in from Nadhirah. Aki calls me Eli sometimes and when you put the two names together, it comes out as Eliaki which sounds like Teriyaki and makes me hungry for sushi.

2. Variations completely unassociated with your name:

Najah dubbed me M16 mascot. Anas calls me Shishou (which means "master" in japanese)- referring to drawing and arts.

And now, the latest: DMMGM. Syafiqah Shuhel's short form of my nickname "Drawing Mind Map Genius... something" (I think the last M is for Master- but then it wouldn't be making such sense).

Awesome are they not?

If you don't have a nickname, get one now. They bring sweet memories and make you laugh at how varied your name can be.

What's your nickname?:)