6/30/2011- Culture Exploration - Jessica

Today is a special day for us, since it is the only week day that we spend outside the hospital. We will be going to YehLiu National Geographic Park in the morning and ShenKeng District Public Health Center in the afternoon today with other physicians from Russia, Salvador, and China. I was surprised when we got on the bus that the bus was actually a tour bus in the most traditional Taiwanese sense. The bus features fancy curtains, entertainment system that includes multiple TV screens, microphones(for Karaoke), and even with disco balls and neon lights that can be turned on on request as well as an extremely experienced bus driver who can almost double as a tour guide who kindly took us all over Taipei for good stores to by souvenirs.

I have heard about Yeh Liu when I was still a child living in Taiwan but never really had the chance to go. Although I have seem many photos of the famous "Queen's Head" stone before. On our way there, the bus driver played a concert DVD from the very famous late singer Teresa Teng (鄧麗君) and we were delighted to find out that we actually know many of her songs from all the years of listening to our parents and grandparents playing her songs at home. I personally think that it was great to be able to find a common ground between the Taiwanese and Chinese passengers on the car despite the many different point of views due to the political situation. After arriving on the park, we were greeted by one of the staff in the park and she took us around the park introducing us to all the scenery and the stories behind each of them. Since our group consisted of such mixed group that speak many different languages, it was extremely hard for her to accommodate everyone and I really appreciated her effort.

After a delicious lunch, we went to ShenKeng to take a tour of the public health center there. The director of the center gave us a presentation on the center and it was especially interesting for me because she does it in both Chinese and English for each slide and I was able to practice my medical Chinese vocabulary as I can instantly find out unknown Chinese words  from the English version later. One interesting I noticed was the amount of foreign wives (mainly from Vietnam and China) in the area and the different screenings specific for them (ie: specific parasite screening...etc). Also, Sandy ran into one of her friends from Berkeley who's studying at the National Taiwan University medical school today in the health center. Such a small world!

Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours - Beethoven

The driver dropped off Amanda and me at TPE. Before Amanda left to security checkpoint, she said, "It's been nice getting to know you better."

As I'm sitting in the "Barista Coffee" shop on the 4th floor, it's come to me that during this entire trip I was too busy learning as much as I could and making new friends to let it gone unaware that I have also learned more about my colleagues than I did in the entire first year of medical school.

I always talked about how amazing the program and the staff were whenever someone asked. Yet, one of the greatest parts about this trip was the people I traveled with, Amanda, Sandy, Karen, Jessica, Mickey and Bor-han. I cannot imagine having experienced Taiwan with anyone else.

Bor-han is such a gentleman. He always looked out for seats for us girls in the subway and bus. I have a picture of Bor-han sleeping while standing in a packed train. That takes skills! He was a dedicated tour-guide as well. Mickey told me that he spent hours looking through his Taiwanese hot spots book, making plans of where to eat and what to do. I know Bor-han will be an amazing doctor, but he could definitely excel as a tour guide too.

Mickey was also awesome! Some of the things Mickey did that make him so great are his knowledge of technology, economy and history. He seems to know everything!!! I enjoyed his little rams about politics. Also, he refilled our tea cups constantly whenever we ate at a sit-down restaurant. How attentive!

Jessica. Oh, where to start?! Her mom was so nice. She sent us delicious food and Jessica had to cook them in the boy's room. I can see from where Jessica got her kindness. It was so much fun having dorm-cooked meals. Since there was no actual kitchen or cookware, we had to improvise. We ate out of rice cooker's lids, washed dishes in the bathroom sink, used a face cloth as sponge. I have pictures to prove that these things did happen!

I like Sandy. She's always funny and up for fun things, like helping me turn a tour bus into a party bus, and was not afraid to dance with me and sang at the top of her lungs without a care in the world. Years from now when I watch the videos I took of us dancing in the bus, I will have a good laugh at our foolishness.

Amanda and I had many good conversations. She's such a motivation! Being a mother and medical student while working, volunteering and doing research is not easy. I don't know from where she got her strength but I would love to have some of that strength. I will try to not complain too much when I'm overwhelmed with school works, because if Amanda can do it, so can I!

Karen and I didn't really talk much in school perhaps because we were in different groups. It's been nice getting to know her. She's a very thoughtful and considerate person. She doesn't seem to talk much, but when she does, whatever she says is very well thought-out. I hope to talk to Karen more when we get back to school.

I could go on and on about how great they are, but it would take too long and my fingers might get tired from typing.

I also learned so much about Taiwanese culture and healthcare system. The food is so good and I'll miss going to night markets and the food vendors on the streets. I'll probably go through withdrawal the first couple of days when I'm back to the US, not because of the jetlag but because I'll feel weird not waking up early in the morning to go work in the hospital. Oh the breakfast food in the back of the hospital, the hospital smell (I love hospital smell for some weird reasons), the people walking around with their papers, the chatting noises, the catheter lab, the scrubs, the food from cafeteria, etc. I'll miss all of that!

I know when I come home, I'll be telling stories about Taiwan for days and maybe years from now.

I'll be boarding in 5 hrs and am experiencing separation anxiety!
再見 Taiwan! You've been really good to me! Hope to see you again one day. By then, Taipei 101 will be the 3rd tallest building in the world.

Fourth Weekend Excursions

With the projected typhoon missing Taiwan by just a hair's breath, it was suppose to be a rainy, possible thunderstorm like weekend so we decided to mostly explore indoor and underground malls. Our trusty defacto tour guides, Jessica and Bor-Han were off back home for weekend and Amanda with plans, we ended up having many fun interactions trying to read through signs and communicating to explore.Saturday we (Karen, Nicole and I) spent the day exploring the Taipei Main Station ares's underground malls, and completed my quest for the Taiwan Railway Bento Box.

Pictures of yummy choices of bentos boxes we got for NT$ 100 below:

Nicole before enjoying the Bento:

Sunday we ended up revisiting the Taipei Main Station with Sandy, since she didn't come out yesterday and found another more complete railway bento box store for another delicious lunch.

Shot of the Store:

After we braved the rain storm to the Lin Family Gardens (林家花園), we arrived all soaked but it was worth it. Karen and Sandy snapped a few more pictures so I am sure they will all get posted an excursion follow-up

Third Weekend Excursion

I am a little behind on writing our weekend excursion blog, but it has been an amazing week working, playing and of course, eating!

On Saturday morning, we volunteered at a nearby Integrated Community Health Screening. Amanda and Karen measured bone density, Borhan and Mickey directed traffic, Jessica and Nicole assisted with H&P and I helped with vision examination. The health screening reminded me of free clinics in the U.S. Pictures coming soon as soon as I get them!

We rested in the afternoon before we headed to the Modern Toilet Restaurant. We were so excited to finally have dinner from a toilet!

Curry in the toilet, yum!

The table was rested on a bathtub, we were all sitting on toilet seats, and yet, our appetites were still intact.

Such a funny pic of Mickey digging in!

desserts! -->stressed in reverse. Poo ice cream was the best way to de-stress ourselves!
We got to write our messages on a piece of paper. Can you see that we wrote "TUCOM 2014 GHP Taiwan is the BEST group ever!"
And in the paper goes into the bathtub of the dining table. We have made our mark in the Modern Toilet Restaurant, Taipei. Forever!

On Sunday, we went to Danshui, took a ferry ride across the river, and tried out an amazing array of food.

We got Japanese rice sandwiches and they were the most delicious sandwiches I have ever had. How come no one has ever told me about these?!

Beautiful.

The boys in the ferry.

Us girls, including Jessica's sister

Obligatory group picture :)

On Monday night, we went out to grab some world-famous dumplings in Ding Tai Fung. Afterward, half of us went up to Taipei 101 while the Taiwan natives stayed behind, and we ended the night going shopping and food-tasting at a nearby street market.

The world famous dumplings have finally arrived!

Chefs busy at work.
Our coins were getting too heavy, so we decided to get rid of them.



We passed by this TV screen where they changes you digitally into a character from the Green Lantern. Here is how Nicole would look like if she were in the movie. It was hilarious!

The view from 89th floor of Taipei 101. It was unbelievably gorgeous and definitely worth the trip!
We are on top of the world, literally!
Taipei 101's entrance.

One last look at Taipei 101 - probably my favorite attraction in Taiwan.

Whew! We did not waste anytime this weekend! Very sad that we only have one more weekend left together.

Taiwan Second Weekend Excursions

On Saturday, we went on the Maokong Gondola and went stopped by several temples. It started to rain in the afternoon, but that didn't stop us from going to the Taipei Zoo. At night, I was so touched by everyone accomodating my request to go to the Jay Chou Restuarant as the day couldn't end any better. Thank you Mickey, Karen, Nicole for a fantastic day and last but not least, BorHan for being our fearless tour guide and translator!

Here are the pictures, enjoy!

The Maokong Gondola, ready to get on! You can see us, but Nicole and I were sweating profusely. Our acrophobia was not helping.

Up we go! Got great view of Taipei City.

Group picture in the gondola! Our fear was slowly fading and the ride became a lot more enjoyable.

Yay! Happy we arrived to the highest peak safely. V for Victory!


After visiting some temples, we decided to ride the 360 view gondola back. We saw everything underneath us, and at one point, even suspected there was a hole on the gondola. Thankfully, that was not true =)




The highlight of Taipei Zoo was seeing the panda. We were so enamored by the panda that we just had to ride on one. She is even carrying her baby in her mouth!

So after learning the hippos are more dangerous than alligators (they run faster), we had to test it ourselves.



The day ended with us going to the Jay Chou Restuarant - my dream came true! Thank you to my wonderful friends who agreed to eat pasta in Taiwan!

6/18 Integrated Community Health Screen Details

Hi all,

Here is the English translation of the flier for the health screen on 6/18. YuYu said she will ask for us if we can help performing the physical exam.

-Jessica

Time: June 18^th, 2011. Saturday 8:00~11:00

Place: Fú Shòu Community Activity Center (福壽活動中心)

         1 Chāngmíng Street, Xīnzhuāng District, New Taipei City (新莊區昌明街1號)

Patient Eligibility:

1.      above 65 years old and have not had a physical this year

2.      40~64 years old (born between Taiwanese calendar years 30~60年次) years old and have not had a physical the last 3 years

3.      30~39 years old (Taiwanese years 61~70年次), with kidney disease and metabolic syndrome (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes) family history, and have not had physical examination within 3 years

4.      20~29 years old and with Disabled Handbook (身心障礙手冊)

Exams Performed:

1.      Cancer screening: Liver cancer, Hepatitis B, Cervical cancer, oral cancer

2.      Bone density test

3.      Blood and metabolic syndrome tests

4.      General vitals (height, weight, waist diameter, blood pressure)

5.      Health questionnaire.

6.      40 years old and above: hepatitis C, urine test, chest x-ray, physical examination (by physicians)

7.      50~69 years old: colon cancer screen (every 2 years),

8.      45~69 years old: breast cancer appointment (shuttle provided) (every 2 years)

Things to Note:

1.      Remember to bring your ID, insurance ID card, and stamp

2.      Please do not wear shirts that have zipper or buttons. (For women, please wear skirts and no pantyhose)

3.      Please do not eat or drink after midnight the night before, free breakfast will be provided after the blood draw.

First Weekend in Taiwan Excursions

First week in Taiwan

We went to the Dragon Boat Festival, had lunch at a fancy shabu shabu, and met lots of new friends from Indonesia, Russia and all parts of the world, all participating in the TIHTC program!

Enjoy these pictures!

Enjoying the delicious hot pot!

Our TIHTC team from all over the world!

We feel very blessed to be here and can't wait to begin our rotation!

Few things about the dorms...

Hi all, this post is for future reference for students after us as well as for the improbable situation where you are in need of certain amenities and for some reason you can't remember where you can find it and/or if it even exist ;p


The dorms are actually pretty hotel-like, they have many things ready for us already. There is a computer and wireless connection (although a little slow....), a refrigerator, TV,  hot water boiler, rice cooker, lamp, hangers, blow dryer, iron, towels, tooth brush/paste, basic toiletry, utensils, bowls/dishes, and even nail clipper set! There is coin-operated laundry room and a library at the 2nd floor.

 There is a convenient store inside the hospital (Hi-Life) and supermarkets around the hospital (Carefour and Welcome), so you can pretty much get anything you want easily without going far. 

Oh, and it has a AC unit in each room, so no worries about the melting Chocolate!

As for public transportation, the nearest MRT station (Xinpu) is 2 bus stops away (bus lines: 99, 918, 藍18 from the station to the hospital, and almost all the bus lines except 257 from hospital back to the station). The XinZhuang station, which will be about 1 bus stop away is still under construction. It probably will be done by next year. Tip: unless you are planning to stay in the dorm the entire time, you should buy a 悠遊卡 (EasyCard). It works on both buses and MRT (w/ discount of 20% off on fares), and even some convenient stores. Although you can buy it in convenient stores and automatic machines in MRT stations also, the best way to buy it is buy it from the operators by the booth next to the MRT gates. Usually, the card cost $NT500 ($NT100 for the card deposit that you get back if you return the card later, and $NT400 for actual usable fare), but if you buy it from the live operators, you can ask to buy it in smaller amounts like $NT300 ($NT200 for actual fare), that way you don't waste money if you don't plan on travel that much. Although it is possible to return the card later to get the refund, but sometimes that may be too much trouble if you are leaving in a hurry.

That's all I can think of right now, feel free to add more or correct any mistakes you find.
Jessica

Welcome!

Hi all,

Welcome to the official blog for Touro University's 2011 Global Health Program in Taiwan!

-Jessica