Oh the sleepless night...

REASONS FOR INTEREST IN THIS COURSE

I was exposed to orthodontic treatment since at a young age. Before I was orthodontically treated, I was lacking in self confidence and self esteem. I had a malocclusion with severe crowding which made me a social recluse. My orthodontist corrected my smile and I became less timid, more contented and confident. I presume that the feeling of giving people that much impact on improving their quality of life, whereby the ability to improve their self confidence and self esteem is extremely overwhelming, hence, me being in dentistry.

However, being in the dental world over the years and trained in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) under the philosophy of Professor Abdul Rani, a respected oral maxillofacial surgeon in the region and the founder dean, I was exposed to a more challenging and wider scope of dentistry and medicine. I was indulged in more serious matters of health affecting the head and neck region. I learned that there are more concerns regarding the oral cavity, head and neck that a dentist or an oral surgeon can do to help those in need. It is not merely drilling teeth, constructing dentures, and aligning the dentition.

In addition to that, being attached in the Oral Surgery Department, Sarawak General Hospital which is the hub for Oral Maxillofacial Surgery in Borneo, I was involved with a diversity of experiences that offered a very realistic and in-depth glimpse of life as an oral surgeon. During the short attachment, I had the opportunity to observe and get first-hand training by the oral surgeons in the management of various surgical cases, from biopsies and intermaxillary fixation in trauma cases, to more major surgeries such as segmental mandibulectomy and immediate reconstruction with free flaps. While the surgeries are tantalizing, the reviews and the follow-ups were remarkably challenging as to ensure both quality of life and aesthetics can still be maintained despite the possibility of a futile outcome.

One of the interesting cases that I get to experience is a case of Desmoplastic Amelobastoma affecting the symphysis of the mandible of a 19 year old female. Presenting to the outpatient clinic with just a gum swelling and a prognathic mandible, she was then diagnosed and planned for segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction with free fibula flap. After long hours of operation and regular rounds in the ward, patient was finally discharged without complication. The regular follow ups and reviews were daunting but inspiring as I had the opportunity to witness the success of the flap. In spite of continuous care towards the reconstructive site, patient’s facial appearance showed near normal results. Additionally, upon issuing of denture, although not ideal, patient showed satisfaction and was pleased with the overall outcome. Ever since then, my interest in oral maxillofacial surgery has developed further. The change and improvement that I see in patients brings joy and gratification. It is exciting, expanding, and engaging that I am willing to take a leap of faith and commit myself in this field.

I believe that OMFS requires a unique surgical skillset that can only be acquired by hands on practical experience in the clinical and surgical management of patients. University of Hong Kong, being an international reputable university in the region with esteemed Professors, it is of great value to be able to study and expand my knowledge in the Faculty of Dentistry. Having very limited experience in a hospital-based dental setting, I believe, to have the opportunity to learn and getting first hand training by highly experienced and didactic lecturers and surgeons is a key to further discover my surgical proficiency. Apart from that, being the premier center of dental education, I would hope to carry back the surgical doctrine that the Faculty can offer to my recently established dental school and share the knowledge with my colleagues for the advancement of the OMFS Department. I am aware that the technical and aesthetic concerns of OMFS makes it a challenging field and a rewarding specialty and it pushed me beyond my limits every day. The yearning to expand my knowledge and learning the art and science of OMFS in a reputable faculty would be my privilege.

Would that suffice?

PS: Entry is copyrighted for my Masters application. Published for the purpose of inspiring others. So please, do not steal. Would appreciate it very much. Thanks.

Right in front of me.

I wanted to tell you. When you were right in front of me. But I have no strength. I'm a coward. How can I bear this feeling?

Can I just focus on my studies first please? Remember, be selfish for awhile!

I miss falling inlove..

Sent on Jan 13 2:48pm
"I had a great time with you. Dont have to be sorry. I jus wish i could hang out with u again without having to think about exams most of the time. InsyaAllah lepas exam, ill see you again. And InsyaAllah we'll have better time ahead. And InsyaAllah i can and hope ill pass my exams. Have safe journey home. Kirim salam to ur parents. Do msg me if ure bored. And do let me know once ure abt to board. I just got home nw. I wanna rest for awhile."

When all I wanted to say is
"Dear, I had a great time with you. I should be the one to say sorry because i cannot spend time with you more. I just wish i could hang out with u again without having to think abt exams most of the time. InsyaAllah lepas exam, we'll have better times ahead. Because i really do miss you. Pray for my success in my exam k. Have a safe journey home. Kirim salam to your parents. Do msg me anytime. And do let me know once ure abt to board. I just got home nw. I really miss you, and i wish we could be as before. Take care, i love you."

But im too afraid to say it out.

Much love,
I.

Dear Friend,

I don't know why we still fight when all I ever wanted is to keep you. I have known you for so long and so deep that you have become a part of me. I was lost and alone and frustrated and down. Part of me is telling me that what I did to you was to test you. To test how much you would go to still be with me. But I don't know anymore. I don't know who is the other part of me. I don't know where you have gone. And I don't know what I want right now. All I need is for you to help me find myself back. The way we found each other. I need you to pull me back up so I can walk side-by-side with you. I need you because you need me through all the heartaches that we've been through.

You're my side-kick remember? Of course, you remember.

But I forgot. I forgot because I was lost. I forgot because I am careless. I forgot because I am lonely. I forgot because I was selfish. But I am here. And I will be here. Even if you go astray, I will chase after you.

This is a promise i made to my heart. A promise that I once broke. A promise that breaks us apart. One day, you will know.

See see see!

My kinda guy!

Like you, you know who you are.

New Years Resolution Much?

I figured it out. I figured out our relationship. We are the happiest together when we are apart. Together we are detrimental to one another. It took me some time to get here and I don't know how I did it but I figured out you and me.

It goes to the basics. You and I are motivated by one thing in life, that is success. You and I both live for our dreams and passions. We have strong urge to follow what is in our desired dreams. When we met each other, our universes collided. The attraction, the powerlessness, the paralysis, the desire, the pain, the lust, the need was there yet it was hopelessly unworkable. To pursue that desire would translate to giving up part of our devotion to what we do in real life. The harder we would try to pursue one another the more we would get lost and disappointed in each other and in ourselves. Each one of us would hate to see the other give up the devotion to what we do. Because one would know how much the one valued it. We loved watching each other succeed yet the more we would succeed the more we would get separated from each other...

You were strong, I was weak. You made me feel completely weak... The more we would try to fit in and try to get together, the more each one of us would get disappointed and sad that the other one wasn't real. And it drove us to insanity, to bully each other, to close up, to lose sight of reality and we were disintegrating as people. The environments we grew up in planted different dreams in us and we were deeply devoted to them.

Although you have been faithful to me, I have betrayed you. I have broken promises. I don't know what I see in life anymore. One year apart, grew us apart. And I am becoming a person you no longer know. Our efforts became meaningless, our hopes and dreams went down the drain. But yet we are still here.

To see you with someone who can make you happy and would put a smile on your face and help you fulfil all your dreams would give me a sense of unbearable lightness. I was never big enough to fill your shoes and may be yours were just too big to fit into mine, but i have come to a realization that no matter how big your shoes are, your happiness is key to mine. I swear I still love you, you Joker. You are my new year's resolution and life-long happiness, know that! Happy New Year.