Sydney in Six Hours

I flew from Adelaide to Sydney the other day- I stayed there for 6 hours then hopped in an afternoon flight back to Adelaide.

Boarding time at Adelaide Domestic Airport. 

But I didn't just simply eat my lunch there, I visited the Sydney Opera House, took the essential tour and discovered the magnificence and marvel of this famous Australian landmark!

Do I still need to write a caption for this? 

As a full-time university student without any part time job, what I did was obviously very costly that some friends might be surprised to know why I was willing to spend for a six-hour Sydney getaway instead of purchasing something necessary for my studies or practically, just simply buying a 10-kg bag of rice from the Oriental Shop, milk, and other daily supplies that could last for a fortnight.   

Well, I consider that trip an essential, too!  After spending hours of sleepless nights reviewing loads and loads of study materials since the 2nd of June... and the subsequent stressors I gave to my eyes, joints, muscles and nerves during the practical and theoretical exams, I believe that my mortal physique and my extremely fragile mind deserve a reward- a break from the four-week monotony in the university.

Okay, I'll reveal my secret.  I am forever grateful to my Woolworth's Everyday Rewards card, Qantas Frequent Flyer membership points and to Jetstar airways for sponsoring my flight!  And since visiting the Three Sisters would oblige me to spend for my overnight accommodation, I opted to cancel my original plans to see the Blue Mountains and focus on a quicker yet meaningful activity that could make my short Sydney trip memorable.  

A bit of info for the tourist. 

That's how the idea of my Sydney Opera House tour was born.  So I bought a day-trip ticket (Au$40) from the Domestic Airport train station that would give me the unlimited access to the ferries, buses or trains around the city for a day!  I was so unlucky that the ticket booth didn't honour my student ID from South Australia, public transport services' student concession was strictly for New South Wales students only.   

The tourists exploring the lines and curves of Sydney Opera House!

The tourist taking one of the stairways around the opera house. 

While the guide was giving some trivia about the glazed ceramic tiles of the Sydney Opera House, the tourists tried to examine the material right above them.  Cleaning the entire ceramic roofing would cost Au$17,000! 

The total cost of building the Sydney Opera House was Au$102,000,000! 

The original design of the Sydney Opera House didn't include any escalator and public lift.  These amenities were only added last 2008.

The staff and lighting crew of the Sydney Opera House.  This stairway leads to the Concert Hall. 

To complete the Sydney Opera House tour, a tourist needs to climb 150-200 steps.

The Red Carpet... covering the stairs leading to one of the theatres in Sydney Opera House.

The Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House!  Seating capacity is 2,679.  Photography was strictly prohibited inside, but thanks to the sydneyoperahouse.com/tourphotos- before the tour started, their photographer asked me to pose in front of a green curtain... and after the tour, dyarannnn!  

The tour lasted for almost two hours, and the guide was very accommodating (the one I had in The Great Ocean Road tour was a bit rude) and knowledgeable (well, he had to be); he shared heaps of relevant trivia about the Sydney Opera House.  But because I had just finished my last exam 24 hours earlier, my mind was still exhausted... it was so selective that it has only uploaded a few of the numerous infos I've heard about the amazing stories of this magnificent architectural masterpiece!  I didn't bother to open up my pen too, because I know that I can depend upon the generosity of Mr. Google about it.     

From the opera house, the Rock Island is visible.  Fort Denison is a former penal site and defensive facility occupying a very small island in Sydney Harbour.  The building is now a museum, tourist attraction and a popular location for wedding receptions and corporate events. The tourist facility contains an exhibition of the island's history from Aboriginal times. (Source: Wikipedia)

What do tourists do around the Sydney Opera House vicinity?

(Another photo with a touch of magic!  Thanks to the sydneyoperahouse.com/tourphotos.)  Because of some complicated issues during the building of the Sydney Opera House, the Danish architect Jørn Oberg Utzon who designed this beautiful Australian icon left the country and died without even seeing his greatest masterpiece!  So sad, isn't it?  

After the tour, I took the train from Circular Quay to Redfern station to get to The University of Sydney with a plan to visit the School of Veterinary Science but time didn't allow me to do it, I had to be back to the domestic airport by 4:30PM to check-in for my flight back to Adelaide.

Young Australian ladies selling homemade cupcakes at Abercrombie St., Redfern, New South Wales, Australia.  The street leads to the gate of The University of Sydney.

Just in time for my check-in... the train arrived at the Domestic Airport station a few minutes before the check-in counter closed. 

Honestly, I only took a very simple meal in Sydney: I had a Chinese combo somewhere at the Central station and had a Middle Eastern pack at the airport in the afternoon.  It didn't really matter to me, 'coz my Sydney Opera House discovery tour was impressively splendid!   

My kebab and rice-bean combo at Sydney airport.  I bought a bottle of diet Coke to push it through my throat.

During my two-hour flight back to Adelaide, I was asleep.  My friend Anna and her husband John picked me up at Adelaide Airport.  Anna had thoughtfully prepared a huge tilapia cooked in coconut cream with ginger; eaten with spicy shrimp paste and steamed rice, that was a perfect supper!

Then I drove back to Roseworthy... washed, brushed, changed and lay on my bed.  Somnolent, I smiled as I closed my eyes to start a deep slumber. 

Madonna and Child.  Sydney Domestic Airport, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA.

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'The Great Dane'

Wang-wang- the male panda in Adelaide Zoo.

FINALLY, I FINISHED ALL MY exams for the semester this afternoon- practical and theoretical (plus a load of written veterinary business case study which was due before the exam week started).  Others would consider that I should be celebrating for this special kind of freedom but I, honestly, don't feel the need of doing it now 'coz the exam marks or grades aren't up yet...  Those exams were not easy, it's tough (please... I don't want see myself sitting for the supplementary exams) and it's too early to party.  Okay, I'll stay optimistic.   

Some students have actually been partying since Friday because they had already finished their exams that time and their school holiday has started... but I was one of those uni students who need to lock inside the room reviewing slides and piles of handouts while they were twisting off beer bottle crowns, uncorking champagne bottles and clinking glasses while dancing in the sea of psychedelic lights and loud, lively music!  The good thing with that was I had more time (but still NOT enough) to go through my revision notes before the big exams.

But I also had my six-hour break last Friday (after our DVM Professional Skills exam).  One of my acquaintances (now a friend)- Phil, a Danish backpacker I met during my trip to Kangaroo Island last April 2010, came back to Adelaide ten days earlier to experience diving with white sharks in Port Lincoln, South Australia.  We have been keeping in touch through Facebook so I was well-informed that he's more than keen to visit the Adelaide Zoo to see the pandas.  I believe that he's starting his acclimatisation because (via Singapore and Kuala Lumpur) he'll be flying to Beijing this coming August to study Mandarin, find a job and hoping to eventually get his Permanent Residency in China.

Since I hadn't seen Wang-wang and Funi yet (they arrived in the zoo last November 2009), I decided to go with Phil.  I am so glad and equally grateful that he paid for my entry fee- Au$22 for a student concession.  It was a relatively cold that day (11'C) and was drizzling in Adelaide but we braved the weather with our desire to see the pandas!

The Adelaide Zoo's panda with the tourists, to scale...

Our visit to the zoo was memorable, we always have our share of 'first times' and last Thursday, it's my and Phil's first time to see the giant pandas!

We both took a medium-sized cappuccino afterwards, and parted ways.  Phil- the great Dane, is currently enjoying his driving adventure across Western Australia. 

The sea lion.  Phil and I had seen hundreds of them at their natural habitat in Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

I have met a few European backpackers in this country and I am inspired to hit the road (or even off the road) and discover the world, as well.  But with all these EMS (extra-mural studies) and Clinical Research Project waiting, I absolutely don't know when will it gonna happen.  Meantime, I have to be contented of exploring Australia...  I have actually booked for a short trip to an Australian city tomorrow.  It's time to pack now!  :D 

Ring-tailed lemur.  Adelaide Zoo, South Australia.

Phil and I at the Wang-wang and Funi Shop.

The Adelaide Zoomobile.

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Overstated

I'm glad it's all done!  After doing all the seven OSCE stations yesterday, the last leg- the final four testing stations for the Animal Restraint and Clinical Examination was finally concluded this arvo.

Unlike yesterday, the nerves were more manageable this morning, maybe because I already knew what to expect for this overstated practical test.  I'd say that the preparation and anticipation were more difficult and exhausting than the actual OSCE itself; and to somebody who started to make that prac exam sound like it's a 'between life and death situation'- he/she succeeded.  It actually helped me and my classmates in the DVM-1 of the University of Adelaide to prepare for this test intensively.

Somehow, that OSCE was tough, because what was being tested was probably about 10% or even less of the learning materials, and the marking was not numerical- it's either 'passed' or 'failed', no grey areas!  Now, I have started to get worried of what I've written on the second paragraph of this post because the result of that exam isn't up yet, and I have to pass at least 7 out of 11 stations to secure a component of my final grade in Veterinary Professional Skills.

We had four OSCE stations this morning:
1.  Companion Animal (at the Uni  of Adelaide Companion Animal Health Centre-CAHC), for 5 minutes... Perform a musculoskeletal examination to a dog that's suspected of having a right forelimb lameness.  The exam question stated, "Because of time constraint, you are not expected to check the other limbs."

2.  Companion Animal, still at the CAHC; for 5 minutes... Without using an ECG, perform a comprehensive cardiorespiratory examination to a dog as a routine physical examination or as in a sick animal.  The exam instruction read: "You are asked to tell the examiner of what you are actually doing while performing your examination."

3. Companion Animal, for 5 minutes... Without using an otoscope and opthalmoscope, perform a comprehensive examination of a dog's head.  "You are asked to tell the examiner of what you are actually doing while performing your examination."

4.  Wildlife and Pocket Pets, for 5 minutes.  "Demonstrate the intramuscular medication and venipuncture sites in a bird, reptile and furred mammal; and perform a head and neck examination in a bird cadaver as if you're doing it on a live animal."

It's hard to tell until I get my marks for that exam.  All I can do for now is pray and stay healthy and optimistic while preparing for the upcoming theoretical exams- there's one on Friday (Veterinary Professional Skills and Legislation), another one on Monday (Fundamentals of Veterinary Practice-- Diagnostic Imaging, Anaesthesiology and Surgery) and the last but not the least- General and Veterinary Systems Pathology on Wednesday.

...which reminded me that I still need to buy my 2B pencils for these exams.

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Understatement

I have just arrived from our OSCE (pronounced as [Os-kee]; stands for Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or general animal clinical examination); and I'm so exhausted!

It's the first time since February 2012 that I'd been out of reach and cut off from any internet connection for almost six hours.  We were not allowed to take any electronic gadget (the reason why I don't have any photo to show); with our overalls, lab coats and boots on we were only allowed to bring our stethoscopes, thermometer, nurse's watch and a bottle of drinking water (in a transparent container, labels off) and nibbles with us.  We were required to be in the 'quarantine room' an hour before the exam started for some briefings and reminders.  Our arms were meticulously checked for any markings and notes that could possibly aid us during the exam, and we're even escorted in the loo 'coz we're allowed to get some personal relief before the OSCE commenced.

There were two watchers/escorts in every 6 students, and they were taking us to all the stations located around the Roseworthy campus.  Thanks for the free shuttle and the shuttle driver, and to the escorts who allowed us, at least, to talk to each other during the transport (we're not supposed to).  I just can't imagine how much did the university have to spend to conduct an OSCE, but it's none of my business, of course, because my only concern was to get a passing mark on all the stations!

O.S.C.E. STATIONS (there's an examiner and guards in each and every station):
1.   Communication Skills at the Companion Animal Health Centre; 9 minutes.  There was an actor who took the role of our client- whom we were suppose to discuss about the condition of Percy- an 18-month old dog who, according to the laboratory tests, got histiocytoma.  The options- surgery or not?  I don't know if I had presented the case very well and clearly to my client, and if I had showed enough empathy, especially that I was aware that it was all acting.  The actor was good and I was a bit intimidated!  We were, actually, videotaped... and the university's resident psychologist (our lecturer) will gonna watch the video and mark us for that.

2.  EQUINE at the university stable, 7 minutes.  We're asked to perform a palmar digital nerve block with all the scrubbing/asepsis, choice of needle gauge, anaesthetic and syringe; there's also some very important theoretical questions like: "What are the desensitized structures and the onset of drug effect/when to start the lameness test?"

3.  EQUINE, still conducted at the stable, 7 minutes.  Perform a nasogastric intubation in a horse.

4.  EQUINE, 7 minutes.  Perform a general cardiovascular examination to a horse as a routine health check and in a sick animal.

5.  CATTLE at the university's cattle yards, 7 minutes!  I was actually happy because we only got steers.  Perform a complete gastro-intestinal examination on the LEFT side of the beast!

6.  CATTLE; still at the yards, 7 minutes.  Perform a complete cardiorespiratory examination on the LEFT side of the steer (not only on the thorax) and perform an abdominal pain test.

7.  SHEEP; at the university's Small Ruminant Holding Shed, 9 minutes.  Perform a complete clinical examination for a sheep.

The time went so quick, before I could digest what I did on the previous station, we're up for another station!  I didn't have the luxury of time to prepare my mind for the next station.

I was a bit disappointed beacause there's no swine or poultry station because I feel those are my strength.  I believe these food animals are equally important in the professional life of the veterinarian, too!  Oh well...

Okay, I have to get an hour and a half of sleep now, I still need to prepare for the Companion Animal, and Wildlife & Pocket Pets for tomorrow's OSCE; we still have 4 stations left. 



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To Bali and Back...

I WISH I WERE a sponge!

I’d been locked in my room for four days, glued on my study desk dealing with piles and files of review materials... hoping that I could cope with the course’s coverage before our final exam.  Honestly, I have started taking capsules of concentrated fish oil and some natural ‘memory recall’ formulas to help my ageing brain.  I am very optimistic that these supplements (which I haven’t taken before) are 100% effective so I could smash every exam in the coming weeks.   

Unfortunately, my cooking breaks, in-house dining, and brain supplements possess no power to turn my brain into a hard disk or a sponge.  This morning I had the desire to review and absorb all the necessary information from the course handouts, but I started to feel nauseated and my head seemed a bit heavy and numb.  So I gave up; took a quick shower and prepared for a holiday! 

I drove and drove, headed up north... and ended up in Bali! 

The reception. 

It was an unplanned trip and without itinerary.  After checking all the services offered by the Bali Spa, I decided to enjoy the relaxation massage for one hour.     

The massage was excellent!  I enjoyed it!

The spa was actually in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia.  It's a 20-minute drive from my place.  The region is famous for it's world-class wine, but there's actually more than just a fermented drink there.  I've been to Barossa for so many times, but every visit is different!  Each of the four seasons brings a characteristic colour and reveals the unique beauty of the landscape. 

The young vineyard.  It's wintertime but the autumn leaves are still there! 

The leafless vineyard.  Tanunda, South, Australia.

The abandoned cellar door and its fountain.  

The detail of the sculpture.

Tree-lined road somewhere between Tanunda and Lyndoch, South Australia. 

 For my lunch, I headed to Jacob's Creek Restaurant in Tanunda.

ENTREE.  Honey-glazed Keyneton free-range pork belly with a sesame crusted South Australian King Prawn served with Chinese Master Stock. 

DESSERT.  Caramel parfait, chocolate mousse, salted peanut toffee and caramel sauce.

I didn't order a main dish, I waited until I got home because I had some boiled beef spare ribs and tripe in lemon grass, tamarind, onions and ginger with some green mustard cabbage.  I had it with steamed rice, of course!  

The pine trees somewhere in Tanunda, South Australia.

 ...enough for this post, it's now time to review. 


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The Anaesthetist and the Surgeon

I WAS EXPECTING THAT I'll be celebrating tonight after finishing the last leg of our practical exam (Surgery) for the Veterinary Practice Fundamentals A this morning.  But I have been stressing out, instead, because I had screwed up a station at the Anaesthesia component yesterday and another station at the Surgery component this morning.

It really pays to browse the entire page and read all the sentences on the exam sheet before loosening up a bit on a station.  I can still see myself moving to another exam station and eventually realized that I had missed a bunch of questions in the preceeding one after spending half of my time 'taking a nap' there!  I could only wish that our senior lecturer in Anaesthesiology or the exam station facilitator would consider that failing to write it on my paper doesn't necessarily mean that I don't know how to trace the fresh gas flow in the anaesthesia machine.  But yeah, that's not how this final practical test goes.

The anaesthesia machine- Rebreathing System.

My classmates who did the Surgery bit of the prac exam ahead of our group were saying that that was the easiest of the three components (the Diagnostic Imaging element was the most challenging); but I still burnt loads of midnight candles- stitching, familiarizing myself with my notes and the things we basically did in the practical sessions.

Our Surgery prac exam was scheduled earlier this morning and I believe I did well in the suturing station, etc... but in the final station, where I was asked to apply a light compression bandage in an 11-minute time frame, I just simply messed it all up!  I was surprised to find a giant dog cadaver (sorry I failed to identify its breed) lying on the surgical table when I entered the room.  I was panicking because didn't expect that I would need to make a bandage doughnut that would snuggly fit around those exceptionally huge paw pads; I'm not good at these surgical doughnuts and I felt that I was just unprepared to do it.

Well, I did manage to make two bandage doughnuts but those weren't pretty enough; I started to worry until I heard the bell ringing- a reminder that I only have three minutes left to finish my task.  I knew I was in trouble because I hadn't even started with the first layer yet!  In short- I didn't make it in the final station.  Is bandaging skills a measure of being a good surgeon?

It's been a very long day and I can feel that I need a soothing massage while waiting for the exam marks.  With all these stressors, I have still gained 6.6 lbs since February.  I have started to eat a little lesser and healthier for three days now, hoping that this food restriction will do more good things for me.


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