Once in a while, something come across in life and set the spirit high in the midst of desperation and hopelessness. I found this song posted by a friend in the FB. After listening for 5seconds, I could feel that it's a blessing to have people who are happy around me, no matter how stress you put them through, no matter how stress they made you sometimes, they are there to show the world that happiness and smile is all that matters.
Sometimes I look out the car window, gazing at these people who toil their energy just to earn a meager salary but they are a happy lot. Perhaps one will ask, why are they so contented when they don't own a car, a house, cash in the bank, etc. You can reap them off everything. But one thing for sure, you can't take away their happiness. That is a precious lesson that I learnt.
Moving on. Life is not always looking back. And life is not about others. It's about us and it's now. Without further a do, let me introduce you to this heart warming song:
The relatives had just left. The feeling of going to the airport and sending off people literally sets the mood down. If there's any term called "aeroport-phobia", I certainly fit the bill. After 4days of being a tour guide, I find myself in a midst of quandary. When the group is too big, it tends to be a lot more difficult to please everyone.
Anyhoos..everybody left with a smile on the face, and that speaks of my hospitality here,hehe. I am certainly a proud host/guide. I like fetching people to see places and searching for gd meals. Not that I am obliged but I certainly find some satisfaction in making ppl's holiday a great one!
So now it's me again, back to work as usual tmrw. Hmm...but that won't keep the mood still. There are so many things going on on my iternary. Two exams ahead and the holidays back town which I haven't planned yet. Argghh..so much to think of. But I am taking it step by step coz really can't catch up that quick. Deferring the gym at least gives me some time to tend to my other programs. But I plan to resume it once I am back again in Jan next year.
Yay...I've done the yearly assessment proposal and it's waiting to be sent to the previous boss. It took me a month of procrastination, unsure if I should be evaluated by the former boss or the current one. Anyways, who cares. Haha...sounds like a frustration eh. Indeed, just abit la coz in the end of the day, really, who cares!
Double yay! Just got back from water rafting today. Grade 3 to 4 but mainly 3 today. It's a rainy day, but the current wasn't as heavy as expected earlier on. But it was fun. We have tourists who joined us from Japan, HK, a couple of matsallehs (don't know where they from), and of course the local group as well.
We departed in the morning, arriving at the Beau's train station at noon, later proceeded to the Pad river, then stopped a while to have lunch, resumed our journey to Haloport train station where we got our train back to Beau's train station.
Phew...I wasn't as tired as I am now. Haha.. I better get ready to bed. Ciao!
Phewww...after such a long consecutive working days, finally we have the weekend for ourselves. Saturday morning was our dimsum tea session. Jim and Al arrived earlier at Tai Tong dimsum restaurant where many people were queuing up for seats. We were able to get our table at 10am, shortly after I arrived, hehe.
It was a nice catching up session. The food was so so but the ambiance was so soothing and smooth, appropriate for an eat and chat session. We took our time savouring the tea we had. In fact we were there for 4 whole hours! Gee, time really passed so fast.
Then I proceeded to meet a friend and went for a movie. Bruce Lee, my brother. Not too bad but it is rather a long story, almost 2 hours. The plot is quite interesting especially it focuses on family values. Though I am not from the 70s or before, I have a particular interest towards the fashion and family values back then.
Dinner was at upperstar, something like TGI friday or Chillies. The concept is so similar, and there were so many people in the restaurant. There are computers where people can actually surf the net while eating. Gee... I wonder if that really serve a purpose especially you want your company to focus on you and the food. Still I don't think that's a gd idea. Same goes with tv. Otherwise, I'd rather eat alone at home watching tv.
Today is a lazy day. Slept and slept. Never knew how tired I was. Went breakfast with Jim for fish head noodles. Argghhh...disappointed. Thought it was one of the best in town but that's really fishy and nothing too special bout the dish at all. The ambiance is another no no.
Went to office awhile to do some documentation then proceeded home and sleep...hehe. Eat and sleep again. And eat again. Haha... What a weekend!
Had a so hectic week. The most tat I wanted was enough of sleep. Due to the recent festivals in this month, many are taking leave for the holiday leaving only both of us working this whole week. Again, I don't wanna complain much. I just want to do my job and move on. Sounds pathetic eh, haha.
Two days ago I was working so late that I had to wander in the town to get the dinner. The eyes were dry and the head was feeling dizzy. Ended up at KFC and that's so not healthy coz I developed some sorethroat after that. Didn't go to gym for the past 2 days.
Eventually, took some time today to attend the gym but there were simply too many people. Had to wait for queue for certain facilities. It's a quickie coz I was simply too tired. Tomorrow again have to wake up early for work. But I guess it would be better off by next week.
Sometimes I just feel like throwing the phone into the sea coz it just kept ringing and ringing and it's really getting to my nerves. Oh yea, this morning I did smsed the previous assistant at the old job. We exchanged smses and suddenly the emotions came around as if we were missing the time working together. Indeed, I had close bonds with some of my fellow staff. Sometimes we don't talk about work, we talk about family matters and life.
Anyways, we were updating on our lives and so. She taught me one thing: Everyone will leave behind an impression in someone's life. Just like the book by mitch albom, the five person you meet in heaven. We crossed each other's path everyday without realizing it. But it does bring an impression or effect to one's life. That's so much about philosophy.
Alright, I better take a quick rest as time permits.
Yesterday I started off the day by watching two china made movies which I had been waiting for a long time. The first movie, Ocean Heaven, was a little let down but it was ok. The plot was not as dramatic as I thought but basically the story line is quite appealing. It portrays the relationship between father and his autistic son. The father was diagnosed with terminal stage of liver cancer and he was preparing his autistic son to live by himself in anticipation of his departure. It wasn't as moved as I thought it would be.
At least the story could teach the public one or two things regarding autism and the parents who have to deal with autistic kids. I have been on and off lately see some autistic children. Sometimes they are fine but at times they are really hard to deal with. It's not easy but we need to understand that this is a behavioural problem which comes with the disease itself. I am still not sure if it was right to categorize it as a disease, so pardon me if I wasn't right.
The second movie was Aftershock. A box office movie made in China about the earthquake in Tangshan, China somewhere around the 70's. The plot was really interesting and the storyline is very moving. If you don't wanna cry, don't watch then. It depicts the lives of people affected from the earth quake particularly touching on the life of a mother and her daughter who overheard that the mother chose to save the twin brother rather than her when both of them we buried under the piles of concrete and she(mother) had no choice but was pushed to make a quick decision as only 1 could be saved.
What is more interesting for me here is that it really digs out the strong family values that the Chinese people possess. There are filial piety, love, care, and on top of all, loyalty. That gives me an urge to visit China one day and to find out myself about the Chinese people who live there. I like the fact that parents care alot for their children especially I guess because of the one child policy in China, people are more appreciative of their offsprings.
Ok, both movies sent the mood into a sombre mode the whole evening, haha. But again, I really think Aftershock is really a gd movie and it is actually running on the nominee for best foreign movie at the coming Oscar award.
The weekend wasn't much like a weekend afterall. I have to work today, feeling like as if the working days continue and continue still wondering when's the weekend is coming again, haha. Until then, nite nite.
A cuppa hot chocolate and some oreos, that defines most of the rainy nights here. It's rainy season again. One moment you see the bright scorching sun. The next hour at noon, the whole street is flooded with water. Wet wet wet....till late at night.
This morning woke up with a rather strange dream. Don't feel like recalling it but the dream was so clear. It has something to do with teenage suicidal attempts. And I know the persons that I saw would never end up doing silly things like that. They are bright people whom I taught them their school work since small. And I am sure they are doing very fine at this moment. So, let's ignore that detail.
I have commenced the gym today. Finally, after days of contemplation, I made the choice and it's somewhere near the house. Very cool place. The workers/attendees are very polite and friendly. They even shielded me from the carpark when the rain hit so hard. Thus, basically customer service is a very big A plus.
I am not trying to be insensitive. But everytime is an opportunity for me to highlight this issue. Obesity vs health. Sometimes people just lament that they are born to be obese. There is nothing to be done for being obese. I am not quite sure if that statement is true. Though I have not reached that stage before or overweight, I would never imagine to be anywhere near there. I have seen people morbidly obese, meaning they are not healthy due to their weight. It comes with diabetes, hypertension, joints problems, bone problems, etc, etc.
Knowing that there are so many complications coming with that, some people just choose to ignore and accept the faith that they are born like that. It's a vicious cycle though as one would continue gaining weight and more complications may arise. An example clearly shown in the latest news. I don't know if I should blame the parents. But if parents are ignoring this fact and let their children to go on being obese, they are actually destroying the kids' future as well as contribute to their children's suffering.
I came across a youtube today and find it quite creative. Perhaps some negative reinforcement might help to alleviate the problem. But this shows how the japs gov is concern about their people's health. Imagine when we have a healthy nation, we will have a more productive country. Besides, the politicians should play a role because they are the role models and the law-maker, that at least in our country. We don't want to see a minister who has a huge belly advising us not to be obese. That's really contradicting.
Anyhow, the gym today is a little exhausting. I shall begin step by step.
Five years ago I had this pain, and this time around it has come again. It's a bitter lesson but I had to learn in a hard way. I woke up at 3am in the morning sensing something was wrong with the tummy. The pain was so excruciating even I had to climb out of bed when I was so tired. Then I vomited out a large amount of fluid, which didn't relieve the pain much. The pain still last till today with occasional cramps but getting better.
I had a jab yesterday in the hospital and ended up with an allergy! Then I had to take anti-allergy medicine which caused some drowsiness and I had to drive after that! Nobody can imagine how I could make it till home. I was taking a nap at the car park upon arrival until the rain started. It literally woken me up and I had to crawl out the car to get to the house. Then, knocked off to sleep till the next morning. That's how serious it was.
Sitting here today, I am glad that the event has passed and I am getting better. I was so worried that time that I might passed out in the toilet which would be a lil embarrassing, haha. So, I thought to myself, if it was just a dinner skipped a day before, that wouldn't cause such a tremendous pain that night. Probably it was due to irregular lunch time and after accumulated for so many days, it started to bleed or ulcerate till the stomach can't bear anymore.
I read an interesting article about the liver. The liver is like the best friend of any human being. It detoxes whatever toxins ppl might take and becomes hurt slowly without complaining. Meaning, people who took alcohol for a long period of time even without any symptoms can actually experience some liver impairment without realizing it until the liver can't function at all, it renders the owner to sickness.
So I guess that applies to my stomach. Even though I skipped lunch most of the time and that I don't feel hungry because I was too busy at work doesn't mean that my stomach don't need food. And yes, I would appreciate eating now.
The friends had gone back after a long weekend holiday here. We went to many places and I am glad to be the host again. Though it was rather hectic due to the short visit, we managed to get to places where we've made plans of. Most importantly, we were able to spend some quality time together and have time for heart to heart talk. We also ate our hearts out, mainly seafood and puddings!
And yes, we had some funny and crazy moments taking pictures, putting us back to those days in school. Reminiscing is good sometime. I am looking forward to catching up with others as well. Until then, I need to rest and recover soon.
This evening I'd particularly spent longer time taking shower. It felt so relaxed while the warm shower running down the spine. After a long busy working day, that's the only consolation I could think of. While driving home from work in the traffic, I saw some kids playing with their mobile phones while having the earphone on. Judging from their attire, they are probably the kids of some foreign labourers. But the smile on their faces and the pretense of being cool with the new gadgets had literally tickled me a little. These kids are so contented and don't appear to have much worries.
I remember being a kid those days were not as easy as the kids nowadays. Then I looked up the sky with the nice music playing in the background, probably one of the nicest from Lee Hom (not particularly a fan). I realized the sky is so broad and the ground I was on, was flat. Thus creating a certain distance and freedom in between. It felt as if there was so much space to breathe again. Hmm... That sent a smile onto my face.
Things didn't go well with Ah Fatt today. I feel so much pity for him. He was wearing his torn shoes to work while trying to avoid other noticing the soles were actually torn. He was a little embarassed but he has not enough to buy himself a new pair.
At work he met with some difficult people. He tried so hard to explain but people just don't seem to understand. I know he has done so much to make his future better but the call is not up to him, it's above him. I could feel down his heart, he is yearning for more, but his out look disguised his true feelings. He is having lower self-esteem than it seems.
Ah Fatt has another problem. He merely earns enough just for himself but he has to own the debt of his mother. Ah Fatt told me about his childhood during lunch. It's really heart wrenching to look at him, the way he suffered through his childhood and the past has to relive again and again.
The other day I went to this restaurant. There were a few kids around the ages of 10 to 12 working. An obvious child labour. I have certain admiration on them. Never complain once, but working to feed themselves. Kids at their age should be in school and loved. But they don't have the choice. They have to work like the adults or else they have to go empty stomach. One might ask, why are these unfortunate souls live on this earth? Is there a purpose of being born and left unattended. What the parents were thinking? That kids are just a toy and in their hand for manipulation. Poor kids, who will go into a vicious cycle following the footsteps of their parents.
So there was a family right across my table. This kid was crying and asking for something. The dad was very upset and tried to calm the kid. Obviously like a spoilt brat. But having 2 different phenomena in 1 place had given me something to ponder on. That we have no choice when it comes to selecting parents, or more to that, life. Some people come easy with life. Some don't.
You may argue that one can be in control in life. We choose our life and how we live with it. But to balance the ecosystem, life is very much interdependant. It's not enough just to say that you shove the problems aside and avoid the people who give you problem. Life is more complicated than that. You can't discard the people around you just like that, especially your family and your colleagues. Thus life has force you to come to terms to things like this.
Either you like it or not, you have to live with it, unless you choose not to live. I feel so bad for Ah Fatt, despite of so many problems he has, he has to relive it day by day. Just when he thought life would be better by himself, he was actually wrong, coz he can't discard anybody just like that.
I would really like to see someday, people like Ah Fatt are being given a chance to make his own life. Before I left today, I spotted a small smile on Ah Fatt's face when he spoke to my face, 'life goes on.'
There is nothing specific to mention in this entry. I have forgotten what to write once got logged on to the blog. Hmm...
It's been really taxing to work for the past few days. But I guess I have to get adapted to this kinda working life because we are literally short of staff and I could see this issue gets more serious for the coming months when some of the colleagues are leaving for either attachments or on leave.
Vu came today looked abit lost. He told me that his wallet was stolen by someone while he was trying to get here. He came from a very far place. I called his dad to explain his situation and then advised him to make a police report. I used to find him a little strange. He looks like one of the deceased uncle in the family who took drugs and finally succumbed to his illness. He had diabetes.
He used to be very nice to me when I was younger but as everyone knew, he was a cunning man in the family, squandered some of the relative's money to support his drug addiction. He married but later the wife left him with the son. I believe he had made alot of empty promises and very cunning when it came down to money. Anyhow, he was ok with me because I was doing quite well in studies then while most of the cousins are drop outs.
So, come back to Vu. They resembles in appearance and how he brings himself. He is very thin, scrawny. His skull bone is so prominent and he has a tattoo on his arm. All the while, he was nice to me. But being nice doesn't mean he won't take advantage of me. That I learn from the past. Nevertheless, uncle Chong was abit skeptical about him. Though they are neighbours for quite sometime, I was surprised that uncle Chong didn't really care.
Uncle Chong is another funny character. He likes talking to me and also 'manja-ing' with me. We both speak the same language. He would always find any opportunity to negotiate with me, not that he was not co-operative but he simply wanted my attention, I guess, haha.
I have resumed jogging. I jog whenever I get the opportunity and also depend on the weather. The stamina is getting better. I am looking for some marathon contest. Maybe that would be fun. Until then, take care peeps!
Life at work has been quite stressful lately. I didn't expect it would be better today. Anyhow, I got the opportunity to jog this evening before the heavy rain arrived. It was tiring but really satisfying. I am reading a little book from Paulo Coelho, a gift from a friend. It stayed in the shelf until lately that I feel I need to start reading again.
I wasn't a fan of reading but I am glad that I have picked up the habit. My friends are coming over at the end of the month for a short holiday. I am having this feeling like I am being the state-host once again, but it is always nice to have the old friends around and perhaps catching up.
Oh yea. There are 2 salesperson whom I got acquainted lately and they told me the same remark. Salesperson can be annoying at times especially when you are attending to something. As for me, it's another kinda job and like any other human, they are just doing their job for a living. I was once in the sales line, so I understand it's not easy on their part. So, eventhough I was busy, at times I took some time talking to them. And some of them have been my friends down the line.
So these two new acquaintances were very surprised and saying that I looked young for my job. These two are on separate occasions and I don't really like to disclose my age. So, as usual I would keep them guessing, isn't that a tease? hehe.. But anyhow, I take that as a compliment.
At some occasions I would be quite offended when people thought that I was too young to hold the job but hey, there can be 2 possibilities: It's either I look younger than my age, or I have graduated way tooooo early. But after a few conversations, usually people will get more comfortable and put some trust into it.
Yawnn... I am feeling so tired. There's a brainwashing session tomorrow morning. Somemore on a weekend. Until then, rest well everybody!
He was 60 year old, when his condition deteriorated. Few days ago, he was like any other uncles whom at times would speak to me every morning. He was an alert man despite his illness. 3 days ago, I realized his condition changed. He was less alert and appeared abit confused. He was not like his usual him.
I started to enquire others and found out that he was not doing well over the weekend. I wasn't around then to witness what happened. I was really concern. I went to his bedside and started speaking to him again. In between his confused speech, I could find some sense in it.
He knew I was worried because I completely took charge on him. He told me repeatedly, 'don't worry, I am tough enough. I won't let go so easily. I am tough." He slipped in between consciousness whenever I passed by him. His words were relieving but I was abit skeptical. Perhaps I took his word for granted. I thought he would be fine soon.
Yesterday I was away. Too busy at work and never had the chance to meet him in the morning. I thought he would be strong enough to live until today but I found him missing. It didn't hit me until someone told me that he had expired. I was shocked. Utterly distressed.
I remember looking into his eyes when he deteriorated and asked if any of his family members were around. I was so worried if anything happened to him, his family would regret not being there for him. He said NO. He travelled far away and he's alone. My heart is now pinching. It's not regret. It's sympathy. May his soul rest in peace.
At times I am really afraid. Afraid of the unexpected. I am learning to be more close to the loved ones whenever possible. I can't dread or regret anymore as life is so unpredictable. There are so many things playing in my mind now but working for the past 2days non-stop is making the mind more confused. Perhaps I should call the day off.
I was just a visitor like others when this lady was wheeled into the room. She had her left arm and leg amputated. Her complexion was dusky and she was abit plump. Her anxious place was excusable when the nurse wanted to poke her right arm for venous access. She retaliated.
Suddenly she went histerical. She refused and tried every point to argue on that. In fact she has a catheter in her chest. She was afraid to be poke again and again coz she knew it would be a futile attempt as her veins were mostly collapsed.
She started to cry. Her daughter was with her. Both spoke very decent English language though their mother tongue is bahasa. She was like a kids, whinning and crying. I found a spot to express my concern and wanted to go over to comfort her. Alas, that didn't really happen.
Her daughter was putting up a tough look. I was expecting that she would break down in front of her mum while persuading her to undergo the procedure. But she didn't.
She sang a song to her mum, as if comforting a crying baby. She told how she cared for her and how much the mum needed to do this. She tried her best to keep the mum calm. The hands slowly swept on the mum's forehead as reassurance. Everyone was looking at them.
Then, the mum was called in for the scan. The daughter waited outside. Slowly the tears trickled down. She broke down. She was making some calls while crying. I could now relate what she felt. There was a sudden rush of feelings for me to go over and comfort her, or to at least held her trembling hands. But before I could, a lady friend came over and comforted her.
Sometimes the appearance cannot be compared to the feeling itself. We need to be strong for people yet we are so weak inside. Life is all about others. At times, we forget about ourselves and who we are. We forget that we are obligated to our own well being. All we care is that, when people around us are happy, we are happy. When they are not, we are not.
Life can be unfair. And that's the truth. Mother theresa voluntarily devoted her life to save hundreds if not thousands yet she still void inside. It's an odd feeling but this is the feeling that keeps us going.
What a wonderful day to start writing again after such a long silence. I have my days mostly occupied with work and personal stuff. For one, today is the mooncake festival and I have been hearing people talking about this festival for the past few days reminding of the childhood time celebrating this festive season. It's rather different nowadays as we all grow up and staying far away from home due to work committments. Nevertheless, this day shall not be forgotten.
Secondly, I have been busy doing some study and I am glad that things went well after months of uncertainty. It's a great beginning though and looking forward to the future undertakings.
Lately I am also committed to jogging and boy, I really jog alot. Almost on a daily basis but days when it rains or am simply too tired. I believe my weight has gone down alot but will try to improve the regular meal taking.
Until then, looking forward to many shout-outs soon. Nite.
It's kinda funny that nowadays, I have been receiving smses from unknown handset numbers. Or perhaps they were acquantainces whom I've lost the contacts. So, usually I won't respond until I get another further sms.
Some like wedding invitations, function invitations, etc. With all the bogus callers and prank smses nowadays, I am a bit skeptical like others.
Okla. I will be starting the dormant mode once again. Not that I am actively blogging lately, but I have to really tend to something which is so important this month up till next month. I really hope can bring some good news soon.
While filling up the boredom gap last night, I came across the latest issue of TIMES magazine. The front page picture definitely got my attention. There was this disfigured feature of a lady looking into the camera. Behind this abnormality, there lies a beautiful lady under her thin freely laid veil.
Very quickly the mind was asking, what happened? I flipped though the pages searching for a related article and continue reading. This lady was just 18 years old when she was abused by hr in-laws. Out of desperation, she left the family at that young age. If you would have wondered, she was an ordinary kid who were forced to live in a cruel adult world.
So, she left. And she reaped the consequences. In the wee hours of one morning, some authoritative villagers came to her and forced her up to a cold mountain in Afghanistan. She was told that she would be punished for running away from the family despite her pleas that she would be killed if she continued staying with her abusive in-laws. No, they didn't listen to this helpless little girl. They claimed that this action will set an example to all the girls in the village.
The brother-in-law held her while the husband slowly sliced off her both ears and then her nose, alive! For one thing, who allows God's sons and daughters to be punished in this kind of manner. I really don't understand. It's definitely an act of mockery towards all innocent and helpless souls.
She was left on the mountain bleeding all the way in the cold temperature alone. But she survived this ordeal to tell her story. I am wondering how many more stories which were untold and buried with the bodies of these unfortunate victims. It's sickening. At the same time, it's sad.
Don't have to look too far. Just have a glance here. You read in the newspaper regarding illogical laws introduced to control and dictate what someone should do. So, some politicians say that we should give in to the demand of these mat rempit and build some race course for them because 'they are so bored, and that's why they have to race in public roads which will be a nuisance and danger to the public'. Hurh? So, meaning we have to give in to the rapist by providing them with hookers so they won't be raping people in public?
We have this politician who committed polygamy illegally and was only fined rm1000 and was told that he committed it unknowingly and he was not involved in making the law itself. So, he was let off leniently. Mr.Judge, I would like to ask if the same leniency can be applied to those paedophiles who were not involved in the making of children's protection law?
Now they have this law to punish those women who abandon their unwanted babies out of wedlock as a crime of murder. Then the police say it would be difficult to prove the case as murder. So, the story will go on and on and change here and there, in the end, it will end like the dust in the air.
The judiciary system in the country is being doubted. Not by any law reading person, but even a simple civilian. If the decision of a court can sway so much in the direction of the politicians or VIP, it simply means we don't have a law itself coz the law is governed by these people who hardly learn about law. The irony is that, if they would say that the sun rise from the west, then the law shall follow through without asking.
Every morning while driving out the apartment compound, there would be a group of labourers attending the morning briefing near the hall. I couldn't miss catching a few glimpse while passing by. They are probably working at the nearby construction site.
Nothing special but that reminds me of starting of another working day.
On my way back today (Sunday), I saw again these labourers, mostly were females, mothers with their children walking out the compound, probably had finished their work at 5pm. They were bringing with them a few bags of foods which they bought nearby.
What amazes me is the smile on their faces. Mothers and kids, as if I could hear them saying, let's go home son, we are gonna cook a big meal tonight. The kids were tagging behind happily. That just hit my head. Some people can be so easily contented with life. While we are striving for the neverending desires and demands, these people are just so contented with what they have. These are the strong women, whom I admire. Never a word of complaint, and they are working in the field like any other guys, just to feed their family.
Who says women cannot be strong. They are strong when they want to. While others merely shouting for gender equality, the irony is that some women tend to put equality on certain issues but not on others, ie physical work, etc. Irony isn't it?
I am glad that within this harsh cold world, I still could find such a warm picturesque scene so near. Their smile is simply contagious!
Today, this hyperactive girl came over the office. The mother was complaining that the little girl's breath was foul smelling. Not even her own aunty would want to be near her. Then her other siblings and friends were avoiding her.
But that didn't seem to bother her even one bit. So, I started to negotiate with her. Can I have a look into your watery nose? No, she shook her head. Just a small peek? No, she shook her head again. She was all the time moving her limbs, checking here and there in the office, not sitting still. I knew it wasn't gonna be easy.
First step was a little aggressive. Riz folded her over and she was struggling. I was trying to comfort her abit but I just knew she wouldn't listen. Afterall she was only 4. The mum was a little irritated by her little girl's behaviour. She wanted the ordeal to be done and her daughter's breath to be normal again. She was forcing her daughter to commit.
I knew she needed sometime. I didn't show any frustration at all. In fact I was really patient. Ok, let her rest abit. We will try again later. Don't force her. I'll come back in a minute.
30minutes later, the little girl saw me again and quickly ran away but was stopped by the mummy. I had another approach. A very chiddish approach (child friendly, hehe, not childish). I looked into her eyes when she was sitting on the mummy's lap. I put my hands up, see..I am harmless. Look. I am gonna hold this instrument, and I am just gonna hold this until you are ready, ok. Then, I put it onto her hands, and convinced her that it wasn't painful at all.
After 5mins, a small piece of sponge was removed from her right nose which caused her bad breath. Now, you have a clean and beautiful nose. The mummy was so excited. Everything was done without any struggle. She just listened and gave in!!
It felt so nice. A small girl was actually listening to me! To gain a child's trust is so satisfying, trust me! I have to reexamine my choice again. I think I have some 'thing' with children now. I think I like them more than I could imagine. Or perhaps I've worked so much that I have no more energy to be impatient.
Being so innocent, the girl went home but this time was not running away from me. She held the mummy's hand and they walked out so joyfully.
I am giving myself a few more days to get busy then I shall slow things down abit. Otherwise too much stress isn't that healthy either.
Went for the movie 'Salt' today. Quite interesting. The actions and complicity kept the heart racing. I mean, it's kinda worth watching on my personal thought. However, it wasn't a gd idea to have pop corn and drinks while watching a movie. Twice I had this urge to go to the loo but I just didn't wanna miss any part.
I think I have lost some weight. The clothes and watch are getting looser. This I attribute to the long working hours and irregular meal time. I am not complaining, coz I want to learn fast.
I have just got back from a 13-hour work and 13-hour interval of fasting. Again, I am not complaining. Indeed, I was not feeling hungry at all. Just being tired. The temperature in the room was so cold that I am catching a flu now.
I think the condition will get better when time passes by. I have to keep an optimistic mind.
After a few days of tension due to being not familiar with the environment, I am slowly adjusting myself to the current job. The feeling is definitely getting better as the work goes on and on.
I guess when I was too busy working, I could actually suppress the hunger desire to eat. Nowadays my lunch is equivalent to my dinner time. Which means I would be having a simple breakfast followed by a 10-hour later meal. I don't really feel that hungry probably because the aircon is so cool, it's ben raining for the past few days and that I have to travel up and down among three institutions.
I don't know how I could make it but I guess, by just sitting in the office and doing nothing, will probably cause more hunger than being busy. So , yes, I am expecting myself to lose some weight for the coming one month until some of the stuff settled, I would venture out more to explore the other side of the city.
The new journey has begun. Though it was more like an overview, there is little motivation left. Perhaps this is just a beginning. Should be looking forward to learn more soon.
Mum called today, saying aunty Wangsa's daughter in-law is diagnosed with breast cancer recently. She has undergone mastectomy and is planned for chemo and radiotherapy soon. She is only 31 years old and has two little girls. She is a little hesitant to undergo chemo as the ordeal is a tough one. However, I am sure she will go for it as this is for her own interest.
That reminds me of Mani. She was one of my clients who was diagnosed with breast cancer during her last pregnancy. By the way her only child was born prematurely after being diagnosed with breast cancer but the baby is doing fine now. I saw her again last week before I left. I could recognize her but she looked different, without the eyebrows.
She was a little embarassed at first, as the chemotherapy that she underwent had caused her tremendous hair loss. But I was so glad to have seen her again before I left. No body knew what happened to her after she left for further treatment in another city, thus this acquaintance has cleared some doubts. I am glad she is doing fine now.
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are number 1 and 2 killer of cancers respectively in women worldwide. The good thing is that, screening tools are available nationwide. Breast self exam and pap smear for early detection of breast cancer and cervical cancer respectively save alot of lives. That is really true. I have to admit that the awareness is there but the effort is a little shortcoming.
Most of the time, when the symptoms presented, that would be the late stage which is incurable. That is why, early detection is very important since these screening tools are free. Nowadays, cancers have been occuring more in young adults. That is a worrying sign. What is actually happening? Perhaps our lifestyles have to do with it.
The orientation has gone into Day 2 which is a lil time consuming and less productive. Something which could be done in one day had to be stretched to a few days, which is so not necessary. While I have to juggle between the orientation and moving into a new apartment, I find myself exhausted at the end of the day. Thanks to the rain, the weather is more chilled now.
Speaking of the weather, it is predictable. Scorching hot sun during the day time and heavy rain the evening, I wonder if this would affect the health.
The orientation was so funny. I had to joined a bunch of super juniors who haven't even started working yet, and we were like moving around the whole building. Why I said it's not necessary for seniors like us, simply because when we arrived, the facilitators would assume we knew everything and for the sake of formality, we had to listen what they have got to say to the juniors. But I am glad the staff were treating us like seniors.
About the apartment, the water heater installation took the second day to complete and now the aircon installation had to be halted simply because the missing parts of the aircon and the management wasn't happy with the installation. I have no idea what happened between the technician and the management but when I arrived home, I was in total darkness.
I am glad everything's solved now but before everything is properly installed, I will still remain skeptical with their job coz everything should be done yesterday. Now it had stretched to the third day, and I really need to clean the house, people! Everytime they came and installed something, I had to clean again and again. So exhausted already.
Yet another long absence. The transition moving between two diferent places was taking alot of time. And yes, with much regret, I wasn't able to talk much on the recent move to this new and expensive city.
Everything was in a rush. Finally, I have moved to a new apartment. Kinda cozy but the moving and cleaning part is still on going and I tell you, it's not fun! I am not autistic, but I am definitely not a fan of moving without preparation, what more if it's for good.
A new place with new colleagues. Am I prepared? I am not sure. But being more in a specialized unit, I am sure it's much better because the area is more focused now. And having so many colleagues and bosses working together, geee...would that be fun?
The first day I went for reporting, I received lotsa curious stares. They must be wondering who is this new kid on the block. Though I don't appreciate how they literally stared or pretended to stay around to listen to my conversation, I am looking forward to meet more people.
Having said that, I am feeling a sudden culture shock. Even though I was there for my successor when overcoming her culture shock recently, I find myself to experience one now. I reckon that my previous job did not allow time for me to experience culture shock even though the surrounding was totally different from my hometown. I had to work right after I arrived and since, I had no time to catch breaths in between as work consumed most of the time.
There are 2 possibilities. Either I have caught the culture-shock bug from the successor or, in fact the memory immunity towards culture shock has been erased from the system. Thus, I am reliving the experience even though I was exposed previously. Ahaha... so scientific. I am sure I'll be fine. Tomorrow there will be an orientation at the new work place.
The farewell row has started. The ball is rolling. Yet, I don't feel that I am quite ready to leave. Not even the work part, but emotionally, I am not prepared for a change yet. The night is long. We are travelling till the top of the hill, to find us submerged into a quiet and relaxing opened restaurant.
The stars in the sky are extremely brilliant tonight, blanketing every corner of the sight. A sense of uncertainty suddenly cropped up. Probably the fact that I have to work till this very second has put the moving on hold. The fact that the boss says "you are leaving behind a legacy here" keeps me wondering have I done enough for the people. The fact that I am leaving for another field which is quite new and unfamiliar causing a lil' of insecurity.
I have no idea, but I don't feel like speaking. I am tired. The common three words uttered. But yes, I am literally drained. A friend says that it sounds fun. But working, training the newbie, planning the moving off, a meeting and presentation tomorrow have literally turned the button off.
Probably I need sometime off before I could clear my thoughts and slowly putting things down. I have so much in mind but have no idea which to tend to at the moment. News has spread further than I expected. I have nothing to hide but I am not in the mood of speaking about the departure yet. I still feel there are so much more to do.
We didn't finish our pizzas and lasagna. The food proved to be too much for a table of seven. There is going to be a lil party organized by the youth club tomorrow afternoon. I can't imagine what's going to happen next week. It's gonna be a tough bid of farewell.
Finally, the newbie has arrived. She arrived a few days ahead of the expected time. Indeed, she came in time of handy. Now I could do the passing over, and then concentrate on the moving. I find that the encounter was an easy and friendly one. Though I had not the priviledge of guidance from the predecessor as I was put in charged when the position was long time vacant, I had to literally build from scratches.
Now she has all the priviledges from settling down herself cozily in her new position as well as the basic necessity prepared for her. Even the assistant felt that the transition was so smooth today despite the hectic morning. Well, I was also surprised that I had so much patient to teach and explain what's expected of her.
She already felt the tense in her forehead but not wanting her to squeeze her brain through day 1, non-chalantly I assured her that everything's gonna be fine. Probably she still finds comfort and security in my presence, sooner or later, she has to face the stress herself. But that's not the point. The system now lies in her hands.
While on the other hand, I shall find myself facing a new challenge. And yes, what I had faced in the past shall be a lesson in the future.
The week was generally chill. Besides working, I had spent quite alot of time hanging out with friends and going for a few computer games. I am not a particular fan but once I booked into it, I got hooked. So to say.
There are two instances which are quite disturbing lately. One instance was a case of a mother who buried her child after delivering him in the toilet. She is not a single parent nor was this her first pregnancy. She hid her pregnancy for a long time and claiming she was fat. That disguise didn't ring any bells to the husband as well.
So, she just made it on time to go back her hometown to avoid all her neighbours who were nosy about her. The delivery didn't go well, and to cut the story short, she went for help. She was then brought to the hospital and she claimed suddenly she got a gushed of blood flowing down her private and a cord was tagged in between. Still she denied there was any baby.
For any sane human, who would have believed her. She escaped this time thinking it was a miscarriage. But sooner later, the baby was discovered buried under the soil near the toilet. The police was alerted and the husband couldn't contain anymore such nuisance.
He broke down, confessing, this might not be the first time she did so. He now realized what she did the same previous time when she came back with the same story. Now, she's in court, pending investigation. The husband is leaving her.
Lately I was shocked to find out that there was a death of a young mother. She was in her early pregnancy and she was just 19 years old. The fact that she was not married and had a 4-year-old child sent controversies everywhere regarding her marital status. She experienced a complicated abortion and the infection had caused her, her life.
Rumours starting to crop up saying she was a victim of sexual abuse by her step father. Not the first time, and the previous child might be his work too. She confided in her mother, ending being blamed for telling lies, etc. Her funeral was said to be a simple one, and nobody even cared to lay a tear by her tomb.
The neighbours knew about her ordeal but dared not to voice out because afraid of prosecution. Now, the stepfather is a free-man, I wonder if there's any guilt in the mother. But I heard not. How could a mother not listen and believe her own child but a man who barely knows her for a few years?
I am saddened by these cases because mothers are supposed to be protective of their young ones. We have been celebrating Mother's day, and most of the time mothers are the ones getting the most credits commercially. While we singing praises for the motherly love expressed to the world, I am dumbfounded that there are cases where mothers would even kill their young ones.
Perhaps we should start listening to our young ones. May their souls rest in peace.
While I was trying to get some rest in the afternoon after a hectic morning, two voices were heard yelling at each other outside the office. I knew I wasn't gonna have a peaceful rest when both of them decided to "let's go and see what the boss says!"
The door then was opened ajar. The two staff came in and started arguing on who should take up the responsibility of the new programme. Both didn't want to co-operate, and both were complaining that they were being bullied by each other. There was no room for me to react.
I just looked at them with a smile intermittently. Both are the in-charge persons of different units. One is just so grown up that the children are the same age as me. Usually I would react very fast, but at that moment, I was just speechless. Exhausted and also felt that this was so unnecessary.
Both looked so stressed up and angry at each other. They didn't even want to look at each other. That made the room more intense. Somehow I was like awakened from the bubble. Pop! And I was figuring out what was happening.
It was just so funny. Somehow, both went out separate ways but they were more relaxed. In fact, I knew there was no solution. There was no clear cut directions from the protocol of the programme. But being a lil experienced with the programme itself, I was able to convince one of them to take over.
So, there wasn't actually a big fuss afterall. It's just that sometimes people are afraid to heed the challenge. When stress overwhelms, they choose to avoid instead. Anyways, fighting with each other seems like a lil childish to me. Perhaps I am getting tired from working already. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't miss the peaceful time I had here with occasional outbursts from the staff.
The time is so nearing. It would be a lie if there isn't any stress. Somehow the day will come when I have to start all over again embarking a new journey of working life. Only time will tell. The life shall go on....
Recently, the local red crescent society had organized a state-level event in conjunction with the World Red Crescent Day, and the whole event took place from 9th June to 12th June 2010. I had the honour to be invited as the guest judge in the First Aid Competition where fellow participants came from all 14 chapters around the state.
The Stadium
Tents in the hall
Participants waiting in groups
The response was the highest so far according to Mr.Simon, the coordinator from its learning and development department. For a quick recap just in case some of you might not know, the competition subdivides into 3 categories. The quiz bee, the relay and the classical/community event. The food stalls
Getting ready
In the quiz bee, there are sets of questions regarding first aid and is done in the pop quiz manner. All groups are given an attempt to answer the same question and marks will be given for the correct answers. This event took place at night. And yes, participants from all over the state built camps here and stayed for 3 consecutive nights.Briefing for the relay
Simulators
The relay event takes place where each team comprising of 4 active members with a reserve are required to respond to 9 sets of questions within 10mins. Each member is allowed to attempt one question and after completing the task, the next member would have to attempt the next. They have to run for a distance to reach the task area where a simulated patient waiting for them. Then, they have to perform the first aid task as fast and correctly as possible.
Make up in progress
The scene
Simulators take their turns
The community event mainly touches on health issues in the community. Group members are given the scenario and they have to act out appropriately. Besides community, they have to attempt classical event, where trauma and emergency ensues. In this event, they are tested for first aid knowledge and to apply directly on the scenarios given. This can be a challenging task as the leadership and team work qualities are being assessed as well.
Reading attentively
Doing their job
Let's do it!
I had to literally translate the question in mandarin, ahaha.. But they did well!
Ahh...my neck!
Overall, it's an eye opener for me as well. I had the opportunity to meet one of the bosses who was recently promoted and transferred. I had not the opportunity to work with him before but I heard he was a humble and down to earth person. Well, that's really true. We had a chat and I found him to be very approachable. He is indeed an inspiration. Nowadays, you don't find many people who are passionate with their work.
Participant A: Are you sure that's a real baby? Why? Don't believe? Come and see for yourself la..hehe
Cleaning the wound
Ahh.. my leg hurt! and I can't move my head!!
Besides, I have the opportunity to work with a team of judges from various fields and it was really fun. By the way, the participants are divided into 2 group categories, mainly the youth and VAD (Voluntary aid detachment). VAD are those above 18 years of age.
Yeay, everyone was so relieved after the event.
The fellow judges. There are 3 more somewhere else
The committee is speaking
The leaders of the packs
Boss: You have done a great job, Dan! Dan: I know boss. Let's concentrate on the camera first *wink* *wink*
Every year, the earth completes a circle around the sun and the same day apparently appears again on the calendar. To quote that most people remember their birthday every year is misleading. I have come across many destitute large families where the parents themselves cannot recall how many living children they have, let alone the birthdates of these children.
I find it rather ironic. In the city, people pay so much attention on this particular day. Hoping that everyone close to them would remember coz remembering means care. No cake means not a birthday. A birthday is meant to celebrate, the significant date of birth of someone special.
But looking at the rural folks, they literally don't care about these birthdates. To them, it's still another working day. Some grow up till the extent of not remembering when they were born simply because they don't hold this date as significant as the city folks. The emphasis here is much lacking. Perhaps feeding one stomach is more than that.
Having said that, cultures do differ. When the society has the means, there is so much of purpose to celebrate. Afterall, to celebrate is joyful. Perhaps the significance of remembering the birthdates of someone you care is to rejoice the birth of someone considered special to which the world has brought him/her into.
And this might put the rural folks in a more naive or innocent picture, but having a peaceful day without much of a shout out on this day, can be viewed as relaxing and comforting. Afterall, everyday is a new day. Not bad eh. May the world peace prevail.
On such an auspicious day, I think it is just right if I were to express gratitude to one particular part of my body, which is my pair of hands. Yup, the pair of hands in the pic above belongs to mine, taken about 2 years ago. This print finally was chosen as the sample for a group project then, probably I could bend those fingers better, ahaha..
So, yes, I always find it so personal when it comes to the hands. Those people who worked with me before know the size of my hands and they always make sure I have the correct size of gloves. Indeed very detail and thoughtful of them. The hands are used for many physical activities and they are the most vulnerable part as well.
Persistent exposure to chemicals such as the soup and even frequent washings can damage the texture of the skin. Thus I have to use extra aqueous cream to moisten them, for medical purpose okay,..coz it really hurts when the skin is peeling off and dry.
What is so great about the size then? Recently I have been doing quite alot of procedures. And the difficult part were made easier when I could maintain a good grasp with these hands. While some people were complaining how difficult to have a firm grasp, I find mine to be very accommodating. So, who says size does not matter...
There is definitely some mixed feelings today. There was just so much tears going on. Tears of joy and sadness. No, not me, but the circumstances left me pondering.
After much of a waiting, finally there's hope for JL. She's again pregnant after a 5-year interval. The moment she was waiting had arrived. On top of that, it was a double happiness. She's got a twin! Tears were seen running from the side of her eyes when the news broke. The husband too joined the joy and couldn't believe his eyes when he was asked what did he see on the screen.
Husband: Err...that's the baby? Quickly the wife quipped: Yes, that's one and....?
The husband was confused awhile before feeling so amazed of seeing another baby on the screen. There are just too many twins lately that it almost hitting the record for the century, no, it wasn't a joke.
While there was joy for this couple, the story changed for JC. Three months ago when she was diagnosed as having twin, she had the same feeling. The joy and pride of being a mother. But three months later, she had to bear the news that one of the twin might not survive. The fetus is failing to thrive in the womb. She feels helpless. A day of living, is another day of anxiety. Basically, she was told that her baby's heart might stop pumping any moment. Up to date, he's still alive.
Who says womb is the safest place, when this mother herself is feeling so helpless, not being able to save her own child in her own body. The second fetus might succumb to the same problem of his unborn sibling. So, her tears, reflect the hardship of life, and if this pregnancy was the only offer of consolation for her, it in fact bears a false hope afterall. Who says life is not mean?
I have the same sympathy for her as for all the unfortunate mothers and unborn children. It's indeed a long battle that only the strong will survive. However hard the feelings they went through, it is not our right to put more pressure onto their shoulders.
MC finally broke down during a one-to-one session talk. After some ice-breaking and searching for her trust, she finally opened up. Being in a relationship which was not consented by both the parents seems to be real distressing. What more if the boyfriend already has a wife. Though she is agreeable to the notion of being the second wife, the parents remained sceptical. Afterall, the boyfriend had not broken the news to the first wife, so probably she would end up being a mistress of unknown identity.
Bearing a child at this stage proves to be challenging. She neither this nor that. Her future remains vague. She's gonna put in too much trust on this guy who promised to wed her soon, but how soon would that be? But who are to judge her decision. Everyone has the right to make their own decision. Afterall, she is expected to deliver her baby next month, which time will tell everything.
Making a decision is always difficult. Especially when it has got something to do with ethics. TA has a steady boyfriend but they don't always meet. It's a long distance relationship. But one mistake, and she's pregnant now. A very early pregnancy, which she is still thinking of ways to remove it. That would be very mean and irresponsible, ey? Again, who are we to judge. If the unwanted pregnancy were to continue, would it be fair for the baby in future? Nobody can tell.
She is a tough lady who won't break down easily but her on and off teary eyes were caught off guarded. She's afterall a lady with a heart like others. Who would want to take a way of living in herself? It's a tough decision but she had to bear it alone. The guys always get to escape on this part, bluek.... (no la, don't mean that way, some guys do care too). But the rational behind her decision was so clear.
It was a tough day indeed with lots of emotional roller-coaster feeling. It's just so easy to be a listener but to tell them what to do, it is so not easy. I learn today that being a listener is not always about solving the problems. By listening, you share the pain of others, thus reducing the stress of others even though the problems are not solved. That's why we are given two ears and only one mouth. More listening, less talking.
PS: I was reading on the story covering life in somalia. One part of somalia where it was called a lawless land. Looking at the famine looking children and sadness in their mothers' faces, I am still in doubt. I know it would sound a lil shallow or disrespect, but it always hit the mind. Why in such a horrendous living environment, still there are people who give births to so many kids who ended up risking death due to poor nutrition. Isn't life clear enough to show that any being on this land is subjected to cruelty of nature and human themselves? Why the kids?
The morning was quiet. She was standing in the corner, weeping in silence. It was expected. The baby was fighting for her life in the incubator. Being born prematurely, with a body weight of 600g, her prognosis wasn't that promising. Her life was sustained for the past 7 days, and perhaps, she was too tired anymore to fight a losing battle. Miracle does happen but not in her case. She was so tiny and fragile and the only support she had was an IV drip to her leg.
When she stopped breathing, the health worker would start to bag her. But this proved to be too much to accept. The mother's heart skipped a beat everytime she stopped breathing, never knew when was her last breath. The anticipation was torturing. But that very morning, the time had come. After bagging for more than 2 hours, she finally gave up.
Another girl on the same day seemed familiar. She was born with an defect, or rather an anomaly to her head. She was a 'special' kid. For the past 8 years she had to deal with how people looked at her and led a life to be taken care by her mother all the time, not even able to pee herself.
This time around, she went unconscious after a week of poor feeding and vomiting. But it was too late. Or wasn't it? She was pronounced brain dead but other vitals still functioning when the resuscitative measures took place. Her survival merely supported by the resuscitating team. Her mother started to cry, she had no heart to listen further. The dad was in a cooler composure, probably he had expected that. After a short thought, they decided to end the the effort and let her go.
There was a small commotion as relatives were flocking in and blaming the parents for the late referral. How would the story change if she were to survive? Are they the one going to take care of her as her disease seemed to be a life long defect. Who are they to judge the parents when they had taken care of her nicely for the past 8years without any complaints.
Death is inevitable. The premature departures of the above mentioned cases don't necessary mean a big suffering for both the girls. That being too optimistic. But the stronger survive. Like mentioned in Darwin's 'evolution' theory.
The custom has allowed us to grief on death. The culture has made death seems like a 'shouldn't' thing. But who are we to decide if someone deserved to die or not? The perception of death has clearly changed the way life is seen. There was an interesting article seen around the net. Someone quoted, there is no death. Cause it doesn't exist. A dead people simply means a being not lived. Thus the opposite meaning of alive is not death, but simply no live.
The somber day didn't last long. Afterall, life has to go on. A life is gone, another life is born. Nothing holds forever, and what's left is the memory within.
Absolutely, there is no point to write today. Instead of keeping the blog silent, just a lil shout out here. The badminton session for today is finally postponed till further notice. Yeay... Some of you might think, why yeay?!
Well, when everyone was so eager for the badminton session today, I was simply exhausted. I guess I have not recuperated from the hectic previous month. When I had almost made an agreement with myself that there shouldn't be any talks or functions for the time being, the boss came to the office yesterday and delightedly informed me that he was gonna send me to attend the committee meeting of the m. red crescent society at the state-level.
Wa...we are gonna be the host this year! And you will be representing our dept in the committee. Those are the words slapped on both ears. "But boss, I am going for a holiday. Can't you look for the other colleagues to go instead?" Arghhh...of course it was an inside argghhh... I was glad that on top of the flattering words he uttered to convince me going, there was a certain expectation from him coz he re-emphasized that I was gonna represent his, opss, our office by the way.
Well, geographically, that event is gonna held at the venue away from my area of coverage. But indeed, I don't really mind coz I enjoyed the exposure. But, but I am just a lil exhausted. I want to settle abit this month and next month. I cannot imagine myself working like this anymore. Well, we will see what's gonna happen next.
And now, I have more time for myself coz the badminton court is under renovation, so I have the excuse of not going. Ahahaha...its more of self-deceiving. I enjoy the game but at times like this, I'd prefer to rest at home,yes... just like tat.
It's time for gastro resus instead...
Oh, let's pose before the second round. Say cheese...again.
Do you see me? Do you see me? I am here with the paddle, haha..
Yea, we did it again!
Here in the train, embarking our journey back to the starting point. Peace.
So, we are getting ready...
Still getting ready... say cheese
Here we go, slow and steady...
Oh ohh...it's getting a lil rough here..
Splash!!! ARGGHHH.....
Help!!
The week was generally chill. Besides working, I had spent quite alot of time hanging out with friends and going for a few computer games. I am not a particular fan but once I booked into it, I got hooked. So to say.
I am saddened by these cases because mothers are supposed to be protective of their young ones. We have been celebrating Mother's day, and most of the time mothers are the ones getting the most credits commercially. While we singing praises for the motherly love expressed to the world, I am dumbfounded that there are cases where mothers would even kill their young ones.
Recently, the local red crescent society had organized a state-level event in conjunction with the World Red Crescent Day, and the whole event took place from 9th June to 12th June 2010. I had the honour to be invited as the guest judge in the First Aid Competition where fellow participants came from all 14 chapters around the state.
The Stadium
Tents in the hall
Participants waiting in groups
The food stalls
Getting ready
Briefing for the relay
Simulators
Make up in progress
The scene
Simulators take their turns
Reading attentively
Doing their job
Let's do it!
I had to literally translate the question in mandarin, ahaha.. But they did well!
Ahh...my neck!
Participant A: Are you sure that's a real baby?
Cleaning the wound
Ahh.. my leg hurt! and I can't move my head!!
Yeay, everyone was so relieved after the event.
The fellow judges. There are 3 more somewhere else
The committee is speaking
The leaders of the packs
Boss: You have done a great job, Dan!
Every year, the earth completes a circle around the sun and the same day apparently appears again on the calendar. To quote that most people remember their birthday every year is misleading. I have come across many destitute large families where the parents themselves cannot recall how many living children they have, let alone the birthdates of these children.
There is definitely some mixed feelings today. There was just so much tears going on. Tears of joy and sadness. No, not me, but the circumstances left me pondering.
PS: I was reading on the story covering life in somalia. One part of somalia where it was called a lawless land. Looking at the famine looking children and sadness in their mothers' faces, I am still in doubt. I know it would sound a lil shallow or disrespect, but it always hit the mind. Why in such a horrendous living environment, still there are people who give births to so many kids who ended up risking death due to poor nutrition. Isn't life clear enough to show that any being on this land is subjected to cruelty of nature and human themselves? Why the kids?
The morning was quiet. She was standing in the corner, weeping in silence. It was expected. The baby was fighting for her life in the incubator. Being born prematurely, with a body weight of 600g, her prognosis wasn't that promising. Her life was sustained for the past 7 days, and perhaps, she was too tired anymore to fight a losing battle. Miracle does happen but not in her case. She was so tiny and fragile and the only support she had was an IV drip to her leg.