Dec 22, 2013 22:03
Completing My TCM Course and Passing STRE
After 7 years of attending classes and clinical attachment, my TCM course has come to an end in June. That included the opportunity to be attached to the Dongzhimen Hospital in Beijing on three occasions, learning from the best physicians in China. Passing the school (Institute of Chinese Medical Studies) and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine graduating exams is just the first step to becoming a physician. The next step was the Singapore TCM Practitioners' Registration Examination (STRE) conducted by the TCM Practitioners' Board. Of the 12 that sat for the STRE, I am one of the lucky 8 from my institute that passed the yearly October exam and obtained a practicing license.
Receiving my Long Service Award
This year marked my 10th year teaching at the polytechnic. Looking back, it was a difficult 10 years juggling teaching and administrative roles. I am proud to be also a trainer of new lecturers, specialising in the use of social media in teaching and learning. This earned me opportunities to present at educational conference, including a chance to be plenary speaker at the eLearning Forum Asia last year in Beijing. I also started to conduct workshops to teachers under the Singapore Teachers' Union banner as well as become a lecturer with the train-the-trainer Diploma course in Adult and Continuing Education. But the most satisfying part of the job is to receive accolades and notes of gratitudes from students as part of the semestral feedback.
Malaysian Elections and Punggol East By-Elections
I have began to be interested in politics from the 2011 elections. This year was filled in excitement as the year started with a by-election where the opposition won another SMC vacated by a Member of Parliament who was embroiled in a scandal. The other exciting political event happened across the Causeway where the Malaysian opposition has the biggest chance ever to take over the incumbent, but it didn't happen. Despite that, it may be a signal of the wave of change that is coming.
Running Green Corridor, Safari Run and Stanchart 10 km
This year I registered for a few runs to just keep myself fit, deciding to go for shorter runs than marathons and half-marathons. Green Corridor is the first time we get to run along the railway track left after the Malaysian Railway returned the land to Singapore. Happy to know that we are keeping the greenery for now. Although these runs are a way for me to keep fit, I kind of find them getting too expensive to participate. Maybe I will have to motivate myself to run in other ways.
Visiting Bukit Brown and Poh Ern Temple
This year I got acquainted with these two places. Bukit Brown has been in the news because the government wanted to build a highway through parts of it. Since then, conservationists have rallied together to highlight its historical and environmental significance. As a result, I signed up for a visit to the cemetery and was guided through the tombs of many of the pioneers of Singapore. As for Poh Ern Temple, I never knew there was this gem located so near where I stayed. Besides its interesting architecture and environmental saving features, it is also a haven to a few abandoned cats! Thanks to the UU who organised this visit for us.
Renovating My House
This one took longer than it should have been largely because it was done in stages. By now, I have an enlarged room that is slightly bigger than twice its original size. I got a proper office table and office chair, some more bookshelves to accommodate my ever-increasing book collection, and a new bed frame and mattress for a better sleep. Still in progress would be to create a cozy corner, pack and throw away stuff that I no longer needed and to touch up some of the older parts of my room and build a balcony leading out from my room. Perhaps this coming end of year trip to Bangkok would be a chance to buy some home decor stuff as well.
Looking forward to 2014, renovations should be completed, my role as Assistant Physician with the Public Free Clinic should begin and I would be involved in my first A Packet of Rice distribution. Already excited to have some things to look forward to in the next year.
2013