Daffodil Day

Last Friday was the 2007 Australia Daffodil Day. Well, what on earth is this Daffodil Day about. It is an annual national fund raising event organized by the Australian Cancer Council. Started by the Canadian Cancer Society in 1980, this massive merchandise based fun raising event is now run by cancer charities in 7 western countries. Hmh… And why daffodil? well, apparently it is a hardy annual flower, which can can survive the cold winter, just as how cancer patients fight against the deadly disease.

Oh by the way, the post is about my experience volunteering for the fund raising event, selling those daffodils merchandises. I was stationed at Southern Cross train station, one of the busiest stalls in Melbourne Central Business District. There were 3 other volunteers working with me for that shift. And there were heaps of daffodil’s days merchandises on sale, including pens, key rings, refrigerator magnet, arm band, soft toy bear and of course daffodils!

As it’s a Friday, I chose to volunteer in the afternoon after class from 3-6.30pm. Of course that’s during peak hour, with lots of people heading home from work and rushing to catch trains. but it’s just amazing that they still took the time to drop by and get some of the merchandises. Well, that’s Aussies, forever supportive in charity…

Anyway, I had great 3 hours doing charity work which I am proud of (bangga )

(owl selling daffodil days merchandises at one of the stalls at Southern Cross station)(the great variety of merchandises on sale)

ADO concert 2007

Well, another long absence from blogsphere after my previous post on Adelaide winter trip. doubt anyone miss me huh!:P This time round it will be about my trip to Sydney last weekend. Yes, Violet and I went to Sydney for the weekend! mm…actually it’s more than just a weekend. went there last Wednesday and returned yesterday. haha, meaning we have been naughty and skipping uni (mm…skipping hospital:P)

Basically the main purpose we headed to Sydney is to attend the annual Australia Doctor’s Orchestra concert. This is the very first time Violet and I played with the orchestra, which was established in 1993. It feels great to play among a whole stage of 150 doctors/ medical students. A 150 member orchestra is undoubtedly a real huge one and it’s even amazing to know that all the 150 performers are not professional musicians but medical professionals! What impressed me even more is that, all of us only meet for the weekend and after 2-3 days of intensive rehearsal, at least we still managed to play some real big musical works like Ralph Vaughan’ Williams’ London Symphony. Though it’s not a flawless performance, I really enjoyed the process of playing in the orchestra and sense of satisfaction gained is ineffable.

(Last rehearsal the morning before concert with the conductor, Keith Crelin)

(The majestic Sydney Town Hall where we performed)

Apart from the performance, the annual concert is also a good get-together for medical professionals-music lovers from all over Australia. I was also surprised to meet a coursemate and a senior in the orchestra as well. Also, some other practicing doctors from other states who are happy to share their working experiences. All in all, a real awesome experience and I would highly recommend any med students who are interested to join next time round. It will be held in Gold Coast, Queensland next year somewhen around August as well. I reckon this is some of the great experiences that one will not find if studying medicine back in Malaysia. Hmh, seems like I always like to compare medical school life in Malaysia and Australia. Hehe, grateful that I get to study medicine in Aus which has really widen my world.

Oh ya, by the way, the rehearsal and concert was actually only from Fri to Sun. Hence most interstates doctors/ med students arrived in Sydney on Friday early morning and left on Sunday night. The point is that, hehe…I have been naughty and went 2 days earlier and came back one day later. Of course that’s still not enough time to explore the whole Sydney. didn’t get to visit too many places, but of course we did go to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which is something not to be missed.

(Violet and I at Sydney Harbour Bridge after ADO annual dinner)(Violet and I at Sydney Town Hall, where the ADO concert was held)(Violet and I at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park)

Anyway, I still managed to spare some time to meet up with almost all friends who are studying in Sydney, including Heng Liang, Alvin, Cheok Quen, Raymond, Lee Yong, Hui Hoong and Zen Shan. Also, met Violet’s cousin, Chye Lee.

(owl, Violet, Alvin, Heng Liang, Lee Yong and Hui Hoong at Circular Quay with Sydney Opera House at the back ground)
(Heng Liang, Violet and I at UNSW with the metal ball thingy which apparently is one of the few ‘wonders’ and ‘must see’ in UNSW)(Zen Shan and I in one of the cafe in Queen Victoria Building after ADO concert)

Also, we had tried almost all good FOOD around Sydney including Hurricane Pork Ribs, Bondi Beach Fried Mar Bars (which I don’t really like it), Pancake on the Rock, Seafood at Fish Market and some Japanese and Korean food. Of course, that left a big hole in my pocket though:P

(Lee Yong, Chye Lee, Violet and I at Hurricane, with real scrumptious pork ribs)(Violet and I at Fish Market with a whole plate of fresh seafood)

That’s all about my very short visit in Sydney. It was awesome but at the same time tiring. And now it’s time to get back to the monotonous medical life i.e. study study and study, oh and wardrounds! And know what, I won’t be having any break till the end of the year which culminates with exams on 22 November. And yes, that’s 4 months of continuous hectic life. Ok, I’ll try to spare some time to update my blog from time to time hopefully.