Bryan – Bryan Hung

On Identity

On December 12, 2022

The notion of identity is deeply intrinsic to the human experience, being meta-cultural – crossing over every generation and era. The current zeitgeist we are presently in, the era of post-modernism, is not removed from the innateness of identity, but is rather magnified in this age. Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, defines postmodernism in this regard:

“Hypothetically, [postmodernism] is an attitude of skepticism, irony towards rejection of grand narratives, ideologies, and universalism, criticising objective notions of reason, human nature, social progress, absolute truth and objective reality.”
Jordan Peterson [Edited for clarity]

Post-Exam Reflections

By Bryan

On November 27, 2022

In Dentistry, Musings

The clock on the exam timer webpage indicated 10 minutes left for the exam. After 3 hours and 35 minutes, my concentration was seeping away despite having two coffees before the exam. Part of me wishes to give up, to stop pushing my wearied body and mind. The other part of me was whispering to myself: “You’ve already gone this far. Give it your all, there is only 10 minutes to go. Make the past year of studying worthwhile.” With the questions already completed, I continue to proofread as fast as I could, fixing what grammar mistakes I could find. Before I knew it, the 5-minute mark arrived. Being an online exam, I converted the Word Document into a pdf format and submitted it to the platform. 2:42 pm, the clock read 3 minutes left. I refused to concede. I proceeded to download the document multiple times from the platform to ensure that the correct document has been uploaded, skimming a few times to check if I have answered all the questions. As 2:44pm came, I thought to myself that there was nothing I could do. Yet I still kept checking. The clock struck 2:45pm, signalling the end. The adrenaline rush was at its peak.

GCU Mini-Summit ’22

By Bryan

On July 31, 2022

In Faith, Musings

‘Lord Save Me’ painted by Sylwia Perczak, 2019

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:22-33 ESV

Zero-sum game of Academia

By Bryan

On June 26, 2022

In Musings

The Tower of Babel – Pieter Brugel the Elder (1563)

As I continue to traverse through the education system, it made me realise that competition doesn’t get any easier. From being in a selective-entry science high school, completing my undergraduate degree in Biomedicine, to now doing Dentistry at a post-graduate level – it’s getting harder and harder. I am reminded of what my high-school computer programming teacher in Year 9 said to me upon asking for his advice when I got into this selective science school. He said something along these lines:

Engage ’22

By Bryan

On June 20, 2022

In Musings

It doesn’t get any better than this, on this side of heaven. Butter chicken curry, and gelato for dessert. It doesn’t get any better than this – the best preaching weather, an attentive audience, with opened Bibles. It doesn’t get any better than this, on this side of heaven.”
David Cook (paraphrase from a sermon in judges)

Character

By Bryan

On May 9, 2022

In Musings

“How you do anything is how you do everything. It all matters.”
Derek Sivers

In our temporary life on earth, the many facets which encompass life can change very easily.

Curiosity

By Bryan

On May 1, 2022

In Musings

Curiosity, the Mars rover. Photo Creds: NASA

This week in one of my subjects titled “Structure and Function in Dentistry”, a very wise lecturer in oral anatomy said something that struck me as she discussed tooth embryology:

“Stay curious, because curiosity is what drives you to keep learning.”

As she continued speaking, I was smiling gently underneath my facemask.

The Future Self

By Bryan

On April 18, 2022

In Musings

The only constant in life is change.
Heraclitus

Over the past two decades of my life, I have noticed much change as I continue to progress over life’s various stages. From my childhood to teenage years, and now being on the cusp of young adulthood, many opportunities have been taken or let go, of which the amalgamation of my choices has resulted in continuous change in my life’s trajectory from one destination to another.

Inspiration

By Bryan

On April 10, 2022

In Musings

Animenz – a classically trained anime pianist

In life, we may come across a myriad of experiences that inspire us. It may be a poignant story in a movie, a mind-blowing book, or even a heart-wrenching piece of music. It may be a breath-taking marvel of nature, an individual’s noble actions in a situation, or even a blog that you follow. In some enigmatic way, these characters, moments, and people lead to a shift in our perception of the world, of which our psyche bubbles with new possibilities. In and of itself, inspiration cannot be a bad thing – I don’t think we’ve ever heard of someone being too inspired. 99% of the time, however, it is more so that we feel a pervading apathy from the monotony of daily living.

Tale of Two Camps

By Bryan

On April 4, 2022

In Musings

I’ve never gone on two camps, two weekends in a row ever in my life. Before doing this I thought to myself that this would be quite the painful experience, and that it would push the boundaries of my limits for social interaction. Now being on the other side, a week out, I somewhat still feel I am recovering from the social exhaustion, scrambling to pick up what energy I had to continue with university work. Despite the tiredness, it was insightful and fulfilling nonetheless.