Life goes on

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....

World Red Crescent Day

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*

Really a nice one!

Special day

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.