What I do when I am not working

I started this year a bit apprehensive but slightly hopeful. I have been really thankful how the year has turned out so far - for reasons that are beyond my control.

For these very same reasons I have a finite but still sizeable amount of time at my disposal when I am not working. Obviously, this time is extremely valuable and is not to be squandered in the manner of my medical student days.

I still squander it though, through the following means:

1. Sleeping.

2. Eating fast food.

3. Reading non-medical books.

4. Making weekly reports on my duty hours.

5. Sleeping some more.

Not exactly a life of wisdom, but I digress.

Some may argue that items (1) and (5) are repetitions of the same thing, but I assure you that sleeping takes a whole new meaning after starting work. 

Item no. (2) is a rather unwelcome addition to my list of "hobbies" which usually begins during the euphoric period immediately post-call, but is immediately followed by anguish and regret. 

"Jogging" and "going to the gym" used to be on my list of hobbies but they have long given way to the above newly named items on the list.

Unfortunately, I do not lead a very healthy lifestyle.

Transition

Almost a month into my first IM rotation and I am starting to get the hang of things. Things are not perfect but the routine has set in, and I am glad I did a bit of orthopaedics which is handy in ways you least expect it - recurrent falls, osteoporosis, analgesia etc. are seen quite a bit here.
The obvious deficiency in my training would be the general surgery rotation. And these conditions actually pop up in GM patients when I least expected it. Cholecystitis, bowel perforation, HBS sepsis, peptic ulcer disease, BPH - you name it, we got it. It is times like these that I feel occasionally, grossly inadequate. But there is a first time for everything.
On the bright side, my first month in IM has been hugely enjoyable with a team with supportive colleagues and pro-teaching consultants. The transition from orthopaedics to GM has been made much easier because of these reasons.
Between scurrying around during working hours, and pondering what to do with my precious rest time, the hours turn into days and months. In retrospect, time flies - perhaps a little too fast for my liking.

Chocolates..

..Still are my favourite food when I am not losing my voice.

Swiss Chocolate

One of my favourites comes from Switzerland with an attractive packaging:

This cost less than 2 Swiss Francs. I finished the whole packet and threw away the whole packaging, unfortunately.

Many of the Swiss chocolates can still be found in Singapore, albeit at a less affordable price.

Not for your everyday consumption. Unless you are super rich.

German chocolate

No doubt the Swiss aren't the only ones who make chocolate. One particular German brand is particularly big in Singapore: 

Kinder Surprise 

Kinder Bueno. I am not exactly a fan due to the cheesy advertisements.

Kinder chocolate (a very sweet variation) seems to me a recent addition:

A bit too sweet for my liking

This is one of the more interesting packaging I've found for the Kinder brand. Haven't seen this locally, but probably didn't search hard enough:

I only liked the milk chocolate!

Italian Chocolate

Also dislike the advertisements. The chocolates taste good though.

My favourite chocolate spread. Unfortunately too expensive/ sinful for my regular consumption.

Belgian chocolate

Popular and inexpensive present for those last minute gifts.

"British" Chocolate

Most of Cadbury chocolate sold in Singapore are not made in Britain.
They are made in Australia. My favorite chocolate. The type that makes me ill.

Australian "Chocolate"

More like chocolate biscuits, eating these always makes me ill. Moderation is key.

American chocolate

Truly a classic. I almost never buy it anymore because of the exorbitant price nowadays.

Please do not take the above article seriously. It is not meant to promote chocolate consumption. Excessive consumption of chocolate has empirically proven to cause insomnia and loss of appetite. Consumption in moderation is recommended.

Huh

"Jia Yi, are you very stressed?"
"Why? Do I look very stressed?"
"You haven't been talking much recently"
Yeah. Maybe I am stressed.
But who isn't?