Kym Le

I am back in Sydney after my stressful first year. I could not be more proud of making it through myself.

Most of our lectures related to biology, physiology or biochemistry. In the ADH clinic we practised as “dentists” to give each other a general examination. Our laboratory sessions centred around fissure sealants, matrix bands and especially rubber dam.

For all of my life Mum has cooked for me. Living alone, I have learnt to cook a whole host of things, such as game meat — kangaroo, buffalo, emu, goat, venison (deer) and crocodile! Occasionally eating out, then, becomes a relief.

A radiograph taken during the year revealed that I still had a deciduous (baby) tooth! Above it is my horizontal permanent (adult) tooth. A few weeks ago I had braces put on and just this week had the deciduous tooth extracted, tooth exposure surgery and a chain attached to the permanent tooth. Eating and tooth brushing were at first challenging, but are now more manageable.

2011 has given me greater confidence in myself to endure life’s difficulties and do well in what I love to do. Although it is a relief to be back home, the friendly people and the quaint city of Adelaide have left me with a good impression. I look forward to returning in 2012. I will strive for higher, meet new people and promote the Vietnamese Students Association of South Australia.

It has been a long time since I last updated this blog. Living on my own has been a challenge. Even after our first semester, I still find the requirements of the course demanding. There never seems to be enough time.

Making us think laterally can be frustrating. Most importantly, maturity has a heavy onus. There will always be disagreements. ‘Professionalism’ gets drummed into us, that we must be very careful with what we say and do.

But to end on a positive note, I find the course extremely interesting and I like the fact that we are taught important clinical skills early. So the past six months have been enriching indeed.

In the morning, I awoke to find a chocolate cake baked by my housemates. How sweet of them!
Then when I left I caught Rav walking out on his way to university with another cake (which I later discovered was also chocolate!).

During our lunch break I cut the cake and my large group of friends presented me with my gifts and sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ I felt very loved indeed.

You would be surprised to know that I celebrated my nineteenth a month ago back in Sydney with my family, with the first of three birthday cakes and a dinner at Thai Pothong.

Thank you everyone (in particular Liz, Rav and Sara)! You made my day.

Now, fingers crossed I win the lottery — the ticket would be the best present from my parents.