Shahira's Raya open house 2012

Shahira's Raya open house! It's a once in a year thing. :)

We are blessed with a buddy of Malay race, so that we can get to experience their traditions and culture.

Large families.
Large extended families.
A warm salam to everyone from everyone.
Rolling up sleeves to help out in the kitchen. 
Exchanging stories, coupled with jokes and laughter. 
Pictures encase sweet and warm moments between family and friends.♥

Enjoyed the warm hospitality offered by their family. Thank you very much! And had fun helping out in the kitchen too. Had fun catching up with my buddies.And of course enjoyed savouring the delicious Malay dishes like Mee Hoon Soto, Laksa Johor, Satay, Ayam Masak Merah, kuih & also the out of the world chocolate cake! :)

MMMC BDS Phase I, Year I Course structure :D

Hello, I hope that a brief account of our BDS first academic year in MMMC, Manipal may be helpful for you guys :) All the external links lead to posts by a Batch 2 senior RC.

1. Our first year is also known as Phase I (Pre-Clinical), Year I, span over 38 weeks.

2. It is divided into quarters, each quarter is known as a 'block'.

Subjects

We have 6 subjects in total for first year. They are:

Exam-going subjects

1. Anatomy [The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other organisms, esp. as revealed by dissection.]

2. Physiology [The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.]

3. Biochemistry [The branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms.]

4. Oral Biology [Dental Anatomy and Dental Histology]

Non-exam going subjects

5. Preclinical Prosthodontics

6. Dental Materials and Technology

Here is a subject review :)

Assessments

In each subject, you will be assessed in both theory and practical components.

1. In each block there will be frequent tests in each subject.

2. You will also have one Problem-based Learning (PBL) session each block. For each block we have PBL for different subjects. (4 blocks, 4 subjects. Just nice :) )

3. You will be required to complete journals in each subject for practicals. 

3. At the end of each block, there will be an assessment examination - Block Exam.

4. At the end of each academic year, there will be an external examination - University Examination.

5. There will be a Mentor-Student project in which you and your fellow group members will be assigned a mentor/guide, and you will have to work together to complete a project of a certain assigned topic.

6. Viva voce (an examination conducted by spoken communication). You may have to give a viva for certain subjects in block exams. In the university exams, those who achieve distinction marks (>75%), have to defend their distinction by passing a distinction viva. For those with borderline marks (45-49%), you can secure a pass by passing a borderline viva.

7. Tests, viva, PBL marks will contribute 10% to the theory component of your block examination. Journals will contribute 5-10 marks to the practical component of your block examination.

8. The total of all 4 block examinations will contribute towards your university examination. 30 marks for theory, 15 marks for practical.

Passing and failures
You will need 50% in each subject, in overall theory and overall practical to pass. If you get borderline marks (45-49%), you still can have a go at it in a borderline viva. If you get less than 45%, you will need to reappear in the failed subjects (both theory & practical). There will be an improvement examination (4 weeks after uni exam) for your internal assessment marks and a supplementary examination (6 weeks after final exam). Unless you clear the supplementary examination, you will need to repeat the year.

Distinctions
As mentioned, distinction marks  (75 and above) does not guarantee you a distinction.

Criteria for distinction viva:
At least 75% in theory internal assesment
At least 75% in total university theory
At least 75% in practical internal assessment
At least 75% in total university practical

Then you sit for the distinction viva conducted by one external examiner (usually from other colleges under Manipal; for Oral Biology, the examiner will be from University of Malaya) and one internal examiner (from MMMC).

Getting distinction is not easy people, study smart and/or work hard! :p

Books

1. Textbooks

2. Journals, also known as record books. Required for your practicals. Can only be found in Higginbotham's, the official college bookstore. 7 journals are there for first year students.

Anatomy: Histology
Physiology
Biochemistry
Dental Anatomy
Dental histology 
Preclinical Prosthodontics
Dental Materials and Tech. 

Note: Look for the MMMC logo for each journal, or else you may end up buying the wrong ones.  

Timetable

We basically have classes and practical 8-5 on each weekday, and half day on saturdays.

This is Batch 2's timetable. (Just for reference)

Attendance
Ha! This is important. 90% attendance is a prerequisite for you to be eligible to sit for University examinations. In addition, you will need to be present for class on the 1st day after each vacation. If you achieve less than 90% for a certain subject in a block, your block exam results for that subject will be withheld. But at the end of the year, if your total attendance reaches the 90% mark, you will be fine. Or else, you are in trouble. :D

Mind you, MMMC is quite strict when attendance is concerned. :D

100% attendance in all the subjects will fetch you an award. :)

Practicals

1. Anatomy

We have dissection classes, 4 hours per week, and histology classes, 2 hours a week. We will have a spotters examination in each Block examination, and in the University examination, in which we have to identify structures in specimens, cadavers or bones and answer related questions.

My senior's account on dissection.  :)

2. Physiology

We learn to perform tests on blood, cardiovascular system, blood pressure, respiratory system and central nervous system, and so on. We also learn a little of basic life support  (CPR and Heimlich maneuver). Examinations include performance and questions on charts or projected on LCD.

3. Biochemistry

Biochemical tests such as tests for protein, carbohydrates in solutions, blood glucose tests, etc. We also need to take notes related to certain displayed items (food, substances, drugs) in our practical classes and transfer them into our journals. Examinations include performance and questions on charts or projected on LCD.

4. Oral biology

Dental Anatomy: Carving the morphology of each tooth on wax blocks using our carving instruments. We will be tested on carving in each block and in the university exam. 

Dental Histology: Identification of dental histology microscope slides. 

5. Pre-clinical prosthodontics

In first year we need to know the anatomy of an edentulous cast, make dental impressions using impression compound, and so on.

6. Dental materials and Tech.

Practicals related to dental materials such as cast and die materials, impression materials and so on.

Desperate... for teeth

I am not a person who can remain calm and think positive in desperate situations. I get angry, lose my mind, break down, cry and everything.

Umpteen times since half a year ago I have been telling my mother to leave bottles leave bottles.. Only to find out that she did not leave any, trusting someone she knows to keep a set of teeth for me. I was like: ‘uh-oh‘ I had a bad feeling there and then that I will be left with nothing. Sure enough, one big bottle of nice, bleached, intact premolars were there waiting for me. I felt like crying.

Went to hospitals and clinics one after the other. Left bottles where I could, and got some teeth in bottles given by the clinic assistants. I just took whatever offered to me. Some clinics just turned me away saying they don‘t do extractions.

Just tried to sort out the little pool of teeth I collected. Here‘s a summary of my findings:
1. Lots of nice, intact premolars
2. Premolars with restorations
3. Terribly decayed molars
And here‘s a conclusion of my findings
1. No intact anterior teeth
2. No suitable decayed posterior teeth

The more I see them the more I depressed I am. Really envy those who can get the teeth without having to worry much.

I have no idea how I am going to get the teeth as instructed. There‘s nothing else I can do but pray and keep finding. Worse come to worst I have to pray that my classmates with extra will take pity on me of I don‘t have enough or don‘t get any at all. 

21.8..2012

This long vacation didn't turn out how I expected it to. I am now downright moody and I can't wait to go back to Manipal. I don't know why at home I don't get any respect, recognition, and freedom. The 3 things that I need the most. Now all my efforts look so stupid when I look back, all those hard work for nothing, all the tears for nothing. 

Colossians 3:21. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Ephesians 6:4. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I thought my hard work, my achievements would honour you, would please you. I am a sensitive person, a weak person, an emotional person that needs encouragement, needs support. But you seem to have crushed my spirit. 

Tis called a reunion? :)

My definition of best friends?

Hearts sense each other, minds read each other, never tired of each other.

Spent an afternoon with my buddy Pei Ling at Jusco Bkt Indah, & two of us couldn't stop talking, as there was so much that we need to update each other with. It's a pity Eyra couldn't make it, or else it'll be a perfect gathering :) Never mind, we'll see you soon enough during Raya. :D

The past 6 months we barely chatted, barely kept in touch with each other. I felt actually felt guilty because of that, but she never blamed me or anything. She understood. Thank God for a friend like you :D 

We had some tea from 'ding cha'& walked around, doing some window shopping and talking. Then caught a movie 'The three stooges', which made us bend with laughter. Haha. Great comedy that was. Had some takoyaki and more talking after that :)

I realised we are always like that. It doesn't matter whether we haven't seen each other for a day, a week, even for months, we could never run out of topics to talk of, and our relationship never grow cold. Haha. A special type of friendship I would say, between Pei Ling, Eyra and Cheryl.  

Oh, and Eyra, we miss you! The thought 'if only Eyra was here' kept on popping into our minds today. Can't wait to see you :)

Manipal: What to bring, what not.

Hello peeps, I think a 'to pack and not-to-pack' list will be very useful if you are about to come to Manipal. This list made by my senior RC made my packing prior to leaving much easier. What I'll do is to build up on this list by adding in what I think useful. 

Here's a summary of her 'to-pack & not-to-pack' list:

Not to bring: 

1. Shoes (white, expensive leather, designer shoes, high heels as Manipal roads are dusty and rocky)

2. Umbrella (easily available in Manipal & are of superior quality; we all buy back umbrellas to Malaysia for our friends & family!)

3. Skirts above knee length (against dress code, draw unwanted stares from locals)

4. Bowls, cups, knives (Cutlery is advisable though)

5. Stationery  (Notebooks, paper, test pad, pens)

6. Padlock 

To bring: 

1. Chinese tea (you might miss it)

2. Bolster if you need it (hand carry it), blanket

3. Formal wear (nothing above the knees)

4. Girls: At least one dress (can be summer or dinner dress), there are events here in which you need to dress up nicely :) [eg.Annual day at the end of Block I]

5. Boys: Extra pair of shoes is advisable, as shoes get damaged easily on Manipal roads. 

6. Non-making shoes/ court shoes (the kind with orange soles) for access to badminton courts and jogging track in Marena (our fully air-conditioned, well equipped sports complex) You'll find that good ones are quite expensive here in Manipal.

7. Vicks and mosquito repellent

8. Plastic, PVC or Crocs type of material shoes (Waterproof shoes are the best here.)

Additional to brings from me: 

1. ***Dehumidifier  (Thirsty Hippo), during rainy season your room can get moist and fungus can grow all over. Hahaha. Dehumidifiers cannot be found in Manipal :[

2. Most of us brought our electrical items, such as kettles, rice cookers, hairdryers,  etc. from Malaysia.

3. Crocs are a good investment if you plan to come to Manipal. I learned the hard way after my first block when 4 of my shoes wore out in 2 months. Cheaper options are non-branded PVC, waterproof shoes. 

4. Narrow line test pads, if you happen to prefer them. (Cant be found in Manipal). 

5. Your favourite brand of stationery, eg. M&G 晨光, which cant be found here. Faber Castell is very common here though. 

6. Your favourite brand of  instant noodles, the ones here taste weird.

7. **Instant porridge, can come in handy if you are not feeling well. 

8. 3-in-1 drinks, soups...

P/S: There's a facebook group for trading of items between Manipal-ians ~ Manipal University Trading Chamber that you can visit. 

[Will be edited when things come into mind :)]

Farewell BDS 2

If we are going to start our second year next month, and we sent off our seniors, that means.. BDS batch 4 are going to tread on Manipal roads soon enough. Hmm. To be frank, I’m having mixed feelings about becoming a senior. All this while, I’ve enjoyed being under the care of my Batch 2 seniors. They’ve been a great blessing to me. Felt really sad when we sent them off.

They ushered us in with a heart-warming welcome party, and took good care of us ever since.

 

Realized that BDS 2 and 3 really experienced a lot together. 

We set off sky lanterns together, 

Rooted for BDS in Interbatch games together,

 

Celebrated birthdays together,

Together we ushered in CNY and Christmas,

 Went caroling together,

Went travelling together,

Studied together,

We even had our exams together. 

Being a little too dependent on them, I know it’ll be difficult for me to get used to not seeing them around. And a special thanks to those who’ve helped me a great deal, by teaching me, by encouraging me, playing along with my crappy-ness and lame-ness, by giving me pointers when I need them most, and giving me  encouragement, a hug, or even a comforting pat on the shoulder whenever my tears fall; you know who you are :)


Thanks BDS 2, wish you guys a smooth sailing journey as you all go through your clinical years. See you in MMMC Malacca soon enough! (you guys said second year will pass without us knowing :D)

P/S: If you happen to be a Melaka-Manipal Medical College Dentistry (BDS) student-to-be, do have a look at my senior’s blog - Crybabylair.blogspot.com, which is very helpful for newcomers. Look out for her posts tagged MMMC and Must read for newcomers. :)

Photo credits to: Christine, Tian Yuan, Laura, Ika, Yung Yee, Zheng Tao, Joel

Happy holidays!

Finally the long awaited vacation is here.But we arent home yet ): Spent the night at LCCT after our international flight from Bangalore, and sitting in McDonald’s waiting to catch the flight to JB which will depart in an hours time :) Traveling is a very hectic thing to me, especially when it involves taking three flights span over two days, and having to spend the night at the airport in between. Sigh.

University exams are finally over, which is a huge relief. Those days preparing for the exams, especially those days in between exams were terrible to endure. Spent our days with little sleep, and accompanied each night by cups of coffee. Never cried so much, never prayed so much.

T’was God’s grace that I was able to pull through all of this :) He gave me strength to carry on whenever I was on the verge of losing it. He strengthened me through my family and friends. :) And by His grace, I managed to qualify for all of the distinction viva voces. But my performance was, hmmm..May share about them later on. Mental + emotional + physical strain they were. After all these, I realised my results, D or P, does not matter. Back then I came to Manipal with the aim that I’ll pass everything and ascend one level at a time, smoothly, but I managed to do better than my expectations, and I should be contented, no? :)