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*Fairy Godmother blew sweet kisses at me*
Today, my family went to Malaysia. It was not a holiday trip. It was the last time that we will be seeing my eldest uncle and we were there to send him off his last journey. Within a week, I have gone to Malaysia twice. Full of regrets that I didn't get to see my uncle before he passed away. It was too late... actually my sister and I wanted to go and visit him on Saturday, but he didn't wait for us and went off on Wednesday night. My uncle had fallen into coma about 1 week before his death and woke up. Now I know... it was the last chance for family and friends to shower him with care and warmth. Sighhh, feeling unfilial cos I didn't grab this last precious chance. I still remember the last time I saw him was on the first day of CNY this year. He could barely support himself and walk. He aged a lot over the year and grew very thin. Cancer is not a man-friendly and had taken my uncle away from us. I still remembered him joking about me being plump and he could still see me even when I tried to hide behind my mum. That was 2 months ago...
The place where the funeral wake was held was the same place where my grandma's was held 12 years ago. The surroundings were unchanged but just older. Brought me back about of memories of my grandma who had taken care of me from my birth till she fell ill, battling with colon cancer.
May my uncle and my grandma rest in peace. Missing you dearly...
OH my, it's time to mug for my BIOMATERIALS module.
Surfing the net to check for biological terms and processes.
Before I forget to bookmark my pages and take down the urls, I guess it's best to place them here, haha~ Maybe my fellow coursemates can find some help here like I desperately need. I'm scared of BIO-related subjects!!! Blur bubu got to memorise a lot of spelling and definitions... very hard for me!!!
http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/medicine/anatomy/histoweb/blood/blood.htm
There are three types of leukocytes:
1. Granulocytes (These are also called 'Myeloid Cells.')
2. Monocytes
3. Lymphocytes
Some sources combine the monocytes and lymphocytes into one category and just call them all 'mononuclear leukocytes.' (You probably are beginning to realize that the real challenge in learning this is just learning the vocabulary.)
Granulocytes include the neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. It shouldn't surprise you to learn that their cytoplasm is often filled with granules. These are the work horses of acute inflammation (and other processes). Make sure you learn the neutrophil. In pathology and immunology, you'll call this same cell the PMN (polymorphonuclear leukocyte). Eosinophils are involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections. Another cell to mention here (although it is NOT a granulocyte) is the Mast Cell. It's very similar to the basophil: both release histamine (and other mediators). Some think that the mast cell is derived from the basophil. Just remember that the basophil circulates and the mast cell is found in peripheral tissues. Other than that, they are quite similar.
Monocytes include the monoctye and the macrophage. The monocyte circulates in the blood until it receives the signal to extravasate into the peripheral tissue. Once in the tissue, it matures into the macrophage. It can also mature even further into other cells, but that is beyond the scope of this course. The monocyte/macrophage is the work horse of chronic inflammation.
Lymphoctyes are often overlooked when we consider blood, but they are white blood cells. Indeed, they originate in the bone marrow and are derived from the same stem cell as the rest of the erythrocytes and leukocytes. These are the T-cells and B-cells that direct the immune system and produce antibodies, respectively. They are the central cells in our cell-mediated and humoral (antibody) defense mechanisms. Also keep in mind that the B-cell can mature into the plasma cell.
***
http://www.amfar.org/cgi-bin/iowa/bridge.html?page=P
PHAGOCYTE: A cell that is able to ingest and destroy foreign matter, including bacteria.
PHAGOCYTOSIS: The process of ingesting and destroying a virus or other foreign matter by phagocytes. See Macrophage; Monocyte.
MONOCYTE: A large white blood cell that ingests microbes or other cells and foreign particles. When a monocyte enters tissues, it develops into a macrophage.
MACROPHAGE: A large immune cell that devours invading pathogens and other intruders. Stimulates other immune cells by presenting them with small pieces of the invader. Macrophages can harbor large quantities of HIV without being killed, acting as reservoirs of the virus.
***
http:www.safecount.com/Glossary.htm
Histamine is a chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction. Histamine is one of the substances responsible for the symptoms of inflammation and is the major reason for running of the nose, sneezing, and itching in allergic rhinitis. It also stimulates production of acid by the stomach and narrows the bronchi or airways in the lungs.
***
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=124906
The host foreign-body response ensues immediately after implantation of biomedical devices and prostheses. This response progresses through stages of inflammation and wound healing with different cell types as hallmark indicators of the particular stage of the reaction. Neutrophils and mononuclear cells immediately infiltrate the tissue–material interface and are associated with acute inflammation. Chronic inflammation is evident when the number of infiltrating neutrophils decrease and the local monocyte population adheres to the surface of the implant and differentiates into macrophages. Lymphocytes also become more predominant during the chronic phase of inflammation. The total number of infiltrating cells normally decreases as the inflammatory response resolves and the wound-healing process progresses to the formation of granulation tissue and subsequent fibrous encapsulation of the implanted material. Although formation of this foreign-body capsule is thought to be beneficial to the implant, cells already adherent to the surface eventually may cause failure of the device. These adherent cells consist of monocyte-derived macrophages, which may fuse into foreign-body giant cells (FBGCs) that concentrate degradative and phagocytic properties leading to structural and chemical damage of the implant (1, 2). Therefore, methods of effectively modulating the presence and activity of adherent monocytes/macrophages/FBGCs would enhance the in vivo lifetime of implanted devices.
***
http://www.ecm.auckland.ac.nz/course/cm422/422BiomaterialsNotes.pdf
Non-metallic materials- Biomaterials
~ lecture notes
http://static.scribd.com/docs/gwhfiscb0emhd.pdf
Biomaterials II
~ lecture notes
http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Materials-Science-and-Engineering/3-051JSpring2004/D3176581-9158-4730-AA8A-6B741928B3D0/0/lecture_8.pdf
Cell-Surface Interactions: Host Responses to Biomaterials
~ lecture notes
Geography Poem done by bubu (28/5/97)
Geography is enjoyable,
If it is understandable.
We learn ...
... of the large land surfaces,
The continents
... of the large water surfaces,
The oceans.
Geography comes from two words
'GEO' meaning 'Earth' and
'GRAPHY' meaning 'description'
That is the explanation.
We learn ...
... about simple technology,
Example is the !Kung Bushmen
... about advanced technology,
Example is the people of Arizona.
A map is a graphic representation,
Which is able to find a location.
Maps are often used by people to ...
... find places
... get to places
... know about places
We learn ...
... that the line of latitude is an imaginary grid line
that runs in an east-west direction around the world.
... that the line of longitude is an imaginary grid line
that runs in a north-south direction from the North Pole to the South Pole.
The condition of the atmosphere at a SPECIFIC PLACE
Over a SHORT PERIOD of time is called ...
... weather.
The condition of the atmosphere of an AREA
Over a LONG PERIOD of time is called ...
... climate.
***
I was getting some rough paper to scribble on while preparing for my examinations and I found a poem created by me 10 years ago. I was so excited to read my poem again and curious of what motivates me to be so poetic at such a young age. After thoughts--> my English standard is like 1o years ago+ it must have been a geography subject assignment + I think I lifted a lot of phrases from the textbook (haha~).
The following 2 poems were found with my geography poem. They were printed and handed out as notes for class during English lesson. Find them meaningful, so sharing it here.
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
Love from friendship - this love leads to light
to peace and to deep joy.
This love never harms people
It does not possess for itself
It leaves the other person free
And when it finds expression
in physical tenderness
it stays pure
But when one person wants
to possess another for himself alone
for his own satisfaction
he destroys the person he thinks he loves
And destroys the friendship
True, you will never be capable
of a totally unselfish friendship
But you must always keep trying.
***
SIMPLE FLOWERS WILL DO
Why have so many people got nothing to live for?
Because they have no friendships.
Because they don't know anybody who likes them.
Because nowhere do they find
an ounce of symphathy and affection.
Because a flower never blooms for them.
Any yet flowers work wonders!
no need for expensive or rare flowers.
common simple flowers will do-
a smile, a kind word, a simple gesture.
the smallest tiniest flower
given with a warm heart
tells a lovely story.
a pure, sweet story about a small piece of
heaven-on earth.
where the people seem like angels,
where, for every anxiety,
for every pain and for each tear,
there is a soft comfort,
where the people, like flowers, bloom for each other
***
Is it the exam blues?
Is it the lack of company?
PMS?
Because it's Sunday?
Is it the insufficient sleep?
ARGHHHH.... crazy me grumpy me sick me.
Surfing the net. Looking at friends' blogs. Looking at strangers' blog simply by hitting the "next blog" button. Seems to have plenty of time. But not really. No mood. Irritated by trivial matters. Yells!
I was so bored that I went to read up on Siamese twins.
Many sad and pathetic case around... but there are happy ones too.
Abby and Brittany Hensel currently 17 years old. Living life to the fullest while having 2 different personalities in a common body.
To view a video on them, here is the url:
http://www.devilducky.com/media/57295/
I feel that I am lucky to be born in the world normally. There are so many out there who are struggling to stay alive. I shouldn't be grumpy and be unhappy about life. I should be happy to be alive.
Yeah yeah, BAD NEWS is I'm sick again. GOOD NEWS is I am recovering.
Sick since last Good Friday. Went to doc on Easter Sunday. Quarantined to sleep alone.
New records: Almost fainted after climbling a flight of stairs. First time using some inhaler puff to relieve my breathing due to clogging of phlemgh in my breathing pathway. Ate some tablets which makes my heart pump faster and me sweat like nobody's business. Infected mum, now she got quarantined to sleep with me at nights.
Noisy because: My dad keeps nagging me to eat my medication. Even now... very noisy. Even noiser than the jets flying pass my flats.
ARGHHHHH.... I want to go swimming but I'm sick and it's pouring now. Makes me more sad...
Professor Abadie included excerpts from "The Little Prince" in his last lecture slides.I had read this story before but yet completed it despite it being a thin book. I read from a website and here is the url:http://www.angelfire.com/hi/littleprince/introduction.htmlIt was previously written in French and that's why the prof wanted to put it in to show that it's the product from France bah. hohohohoho....
I want to finish this book before I leave for Australia!!!Currently reading:
"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch AlbomProfessional Communication textbookFinished:
"The five people you meet in heaven" also by Mitch Albom
Some boring + random revision thoughts
I'm finally starting preparing for my exams. Started studying the last 2 sets of biomaterials notes. The notes are quite thin ah, but bubu took such a loooooong time to read time and digest them. So much biology terms in there, really bore me lots. I wonder why some people love to study it despite it being so dry... haha~ I think i I don't have flair in biology and cannot really appreciate it well. I guess I won't be dealing with bio stuff in my postgrad studies bah. I'm too lazy to memorise so much things!!!!
Today, I'm supposed to study for my professional communication module. This is much interesting and more applicable to the real world bah. Finished 2 sets of notes, haven't started reading the textbook yet. I don't understand why am I such a slower reader. Blame it on my poor English standard...haha~ maybe because I lack of practice (seldom read books, even newspapers).
What will be will be
Lots of people asked me whether I have got any job offers or which companies I have applied. The answers .....
I had only given 3 resumes in the NTU career fair and none had contacted me.
I'm looking into postgraduate opportunities, since I like studying and don't really want to go for job search now. My application to full-time phd programme with NTU is still under consideration. But I'm open to other options such as doing part-time phd and working at the same time. Most importantly is I want to have $$ no matter what I take ... haha. I don't want to receive pocket money anymore and be able to support my family financially. My mother is the sole breadwinner in my family now.
If I were to look for a job, it would be after I return from Australia bah. I don't want to be bothered during my trip like waiting for called or unable to attend interviews. Who knows? I may be more clear-headed after the trip and know what I really want.
Silly me, I went to yahoo to find images on churros.... where are you...? I want to eat you!!!
I watched "Sweet for my sweet" last night which featured celebrity couple Allan Wu and Wong Li Lin. Interested in the Thunder fron down under and the italian restaurant which had a lot of cheesy stuff. My all time favourite is still chocolates... no particular brand, just need to be rich and marvellous tasting~*Childhood favourites: ChurrosThe last time I saw them was at a night market at serangoon central. I really miss the taste of them. Churros, where are you in Singapore. I remembered getting them from Tangs long long ago, but the place no longer sells it. Sad sad... the close substitutes would be eclairs bah.
