Just saw a tweet from a friend of mine a few seconds ago, she's a fellow hometown mate who came to Singapore to study a year before me. In her tweet she said that it is so hard to live nowadays, living cost is so high! Hahaha, I immediately related to that.
City life, I hate it.
You pay so much for food, transport, lodging and basically everything else. Adding to that, the currency exchange rate isn't helping either. Students living abroad really ought to take time to understand and appreciate what their parents go through in order to let them study.
An economical meal out here costs around 3 to 5 dollars? A bus ride or train ride for everage a dollar or sometimes less, usually more. I don't even want to mention rental.
It's crazy, despite being stingy on meals and all, I look at my expenses and dare not even multiply it to Malaysian Ringgit. Haha...
In an economically growing society with advancement and upgrading all around, there are bound to have some people left behind. I see them on TV, out on the streets, and I see some in the hospital. Pity those folks who need to struggle so hard to survive in such an urbanised city that was once a much more greener peaceful land.
I wonder if the apostle Paul knew about insurances when he said "to die is gain".
Inflation and increment of cost of living, happening everywhere! Why must money be so important to everyone? =(
Anyway no matter how hard I find to accept this, living is supposed to be tough here on Earth with no regards to cost in terms of finance. Life here is just a test. Pass and you'll live happily forever.
Really hope to finish this race well.
Monday, August 30
Friday, August 27
I'm Single!
I was attached to the Hokkien guy, now I'm no longer attached.
Today marks the end of my first 3-week clinical posting at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Oh what an experience it has been, an unforgetable one I reckon.
It wasn't easy yet it wasn't dreadful despite the torturing early mornings.
Haha, waking up before 6 again isn't that enjoyable okay? So I prefer starting work in the afternoons though each shift has its own sweet and sour.
During these three weeks I got along pretty well with a few patients and I appreciate their friendship as I treasured the opportunities for me to care for them practically. However many of these patients have left the ward, now I have left the ward as well, am actually starting to miss them. These people out of nowhere whom I met lying in my cubicle.
Have to remember that I was at the hospital for attachment, not to be attached to its patients. Remember the purpose of a patient's admission is to be fit for discharge.
Taking care of my patients was a learning process by itself, not just application of knowledge gained in college. The people in the ward taught me humility, service, sensitivity, communication and more.
Talk about communication!
I was never so proud of speaking in Malay.
Never so regretful of not speaking fluent Hokkien.
Anyway, time to rest, then time to work again. Work at studying for the upcoming examination. But focus a bit more on rest. Hahaha!
Now for the near future I need not live by multiple alarms. Getting ready for semestral examinations prior to HOLIDAY! Can't wait for the holiday...
By the way, the best thing about being a student nurse is to be called "dear" or "sayang" by the staff; the worst thing for me is to be addressed as "missy" by some patients!
Today marks the end of my first 3-week clinical posting at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Oh what an experience it has been, an unforgetable one I reckon.
It wasn't easy yet it wasn't dreadful despite the torturing early mornings.
Haha, waking up before 6 again isn't that enjoyable okay? So I prefer starting work in the afternoons though each shift has its own sweet and sour.
During these three weeks I got along pretty well with a few patients and I appreciate their friendship as I treasured the opportunities for me to care for them practically. However many of these patients have left the ward, now I have left the ward as well, am actually starting to miss them. These people out of nowhere whom I met lying in my cubicle.
Have to remember that I was at the hospital for attachment, not to be attached to its patients. Remember the purpose of a patient's admission is to be fit for discharge.
Taking care of my patients was a learning process by itself, not just application of knowledge gained in college. The people in the ward taught me humility, service, sensitivity, communication and more.
Talk about communication!
I was never so proud of speaking in Malay.
Never so regretful of not speaking fluent Hokkien.Anyway, time to rest, then time to work again. Work at studying for the upcoming examination. But focus a bit more on rest. Hahaha!
Now for the near future I need not live by multiple alarms. Getting ready for semestral examinations prior to HOLIDAY! Can't wait for the holiday...
By the way, the best thing about being a student nurse is to be called "dear" or "sayang" by the staff; the worst thing for me is to be addressed as "missy" by some patients!
Wednesday, August 25
Awww... don't cry
Today is the birthday of one of the patients whom I was assigned to. This man is a big guy who needed help even to move about on the bed, now he is able to sit up on his own with close supervision.
Interesting man who is really quite cute, my fellow student nurse and I got along with him pretty well although it can be troublesome to take care of him sometimes.
Today is his birthday, I bought him kopi-O during my lunch break because the coffee in the ward tastes terrible according to the big guy.
About a couple of hours after lunch, a few nurses brought him a cake. That's where I, for the first time saw such a big man cried.
Oh!
Interesting man who is really quite cute, my fellow student nurse and I got along with him pretty well although it can be troublesome to take care of him sometimes.
Today is his birthday, I bought him kopi-O during my lunch break because the coffee in the ward tastes terrible according to the big guy.
About a couple of hours after lunch, a few nurses brought him a cake. That's where I, for the first time saw such a big man cried.
Oh!
Monday, August 23
Gave now received
Last Friday I took some cash out of my wallet to get Uncle L, one of the patients in the cubicle I was assigned to. Uncle L is under palliative medicine, that means he would probably never be fully well. Yet he is still a cheerful happy old man. And since learning of what palliative care means, I somehow started to see Uncle L with a different attitude and feeling I do not know how to put into words. You could say I started to love him.
Yayaya, anyway I just bought a simple snack for him because he is so encouraging, always smiling and saying "thank you" to all the staff. His smile brightens my day, hehe..
Lo and behold, his wife gave me some food this afternoon when she came to see Mr. L. A bit touched, quite surprised. However the satisfaction was the smile on their faces.
Appreciate the snacks they gave me today, but a bit scared of getting some infection or whatever, honestly. Haha...
Hmmmmm... Eat lah! hehe..
Yayaya, anyway I just bought a simple snack for him because he is so encouraging, always smiling and saying "thank you" to all the staff. His smile brightens my day, hehe..
Appreciate the snacks they gave me today, but a bit scared of getting some infection or whatever, honestly. Haha...
Hmmmmm... Eat lah! hehe..
Gave, now received,I did not give to receive,this is not prosperity gospel.
Wednesday, August 18
If You Knew Me
If you knew me
thanks for your acceptance
If you knew me
truly
leaving was natural
If you have raised me
you did a good job
the rest was my fault
If I have blamed you
great sin I have done
If I have loved you
have you loved me back?
If I expected not hoped
then I have not loved
If I crossed boundaries
sorry for the ignorance
But if I wanted to make love with you
let every bone in my body break
at the sound of my heart of glass broke
before turning into stone
If you gave me too much grace
my actions were a disgrace
If there were another second chance
I would go through the darkness
quiet and sensibly
If you showed me another friendship
I shall be wealthier than ever
© Joel yap
thanks for your acceptance
If you knew me
truly
leaving was natural
If you have raised me
you did a good job
the rest was my fault
If I have blamed you
great sin I have done
If I have loved you
have you loved me back?
If I expected not hoped
then I have not loved
If I crossed boundaries
sorry for the ignorance
But if I wanted to make love with you
let every bone in my body break
at the sound of my heart of glass broke
before turning into stone
If you gave me too much grace
my actions were a disgrace
If there were another second chance
I would go through the darkness
quiet and sensibly
If you showed me another friendship
I shall be wealthier than ever
© Joel yap
Tuesday, August 17
Yingevarikiri?
This evening there was an elderly Indian lady whom only spoke in Tamil, who was complaining and appeared to be suffering. The only nurses in the cubicle were two miserable fellow student nurses who were from China. The girls were helpless and I saw them running around searching for a translator. Was amused enough to become a busybody since I had nothing much on my hands, so I audaciously told the students I could understand a bit of Tamil.
"Yingevarikini?", I asked the frail lady who was in great pain. Then I couldn't understand a thing the moment she replied, Malay didn't work so in the end we got hold of an Indian clerk to help with the translation. Hahaha...
There's an Indian patient in my cubicle now who is willing to teach me simple Tamil! Hope I learn fast.
"Yingevarikini?", I asked the frail lady who was in great pain. Then I couldn't understand a thing the moment she replied, Malay didn't work so in the end we got hold of an Indian clerk to help with the translation. Hahaha...
There's an Indian patient in my cubicle now who is willing to teach me simple Tamil! Hope I learn fast.
Thursday, August 12
I'm Attached!(2)
Having gone through TTSH's hospital orientation on Tuesday and ward orientation yesterday, today we start "working" in our various wards. It was a very good effort by the hospital to orientate its first-year student nurses. Although I had been orientated, it is today that I felt even more integrated to the ward.
Why?
During the first few hours of the shift, I felt like a walking pillar, thus making me become more a part of the ward. First day of work, very unclear about what to do and how to do things. Thank God for a few kind nurses in the ward who were willing to let me tag along while they did their stuff.
Wanna learn more, and hopefully I'll look less like a pillar as soon as possible...
The journey goes on... I'll be on attachment for 3 weeks!
As for today, what can be more meaningful than to spend your birthday doing stuff in line with your calling and passion?
Why?
During the first few hours of the shift, I felt like a walking pillar, thus making me become more a part of the ward. First day of work, very unclear about what to do and how to do things. Thank God for a few kind nurses in the ward who were willing to let me tag along while they did their stuff.
Wanna learn more, and hopefully I'll look less like a pillar as soon as possible...
The journey goes on... I'll be on attachment for 3 weeks!
As for today, what can be more meaningful than to spend your birthday doing stuff in line with your calling and passion?
Tuesday, August 10
I'm Attached!
Yes indeed I am, for the first time! Fast, huh?
I am attached to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for my first clinical posting!
Still single, not sure what you were thinking...
Today's the first day, the hospital was very kind to give us an orientation rather than throwing all the students into wards for work. Was so worried about being late today actually, as I got stuck in a traffic jam last night on the way to Singapore, dead beat when I reached here. Thank God for mercy that I made it.
Rushed out as soon as I gathered enough determinancy to get out of bed.
Anyway I had a good time at the hospital, found out that the ward that I am about to be "working" in for the next 3 weeks is not air-conditioned. Quite happy about it as working under lower temperatures for 8 hours a day is no joke; but on the other hand I am afraid of sweating too much. Hope all goes well.
The programme today came to an end at around 4(few minutes earlier actually) and I left with anticipation of what tomorrow holds.
Today's weather was hot hot hot, wonder if the clouds in the sky went on study break like the rest of the students in Singaporean Polytechnics now.
I made use of the Sun, hand-washed my uniform and some other clothes.
In the evening something historical happened! A miracle, an unexpected event! For since a long time, a long long time, I'm talking about an "at least 3 years or more" kind of long time, today I, Joel Yap used a clothes iron.
I ironed my student nurse uniform for the first time, because it is my first student nurse uniform, of course it had to be my first time! But hey, for the first time in so many years I finally touched an iron!
Glad to be "attached"!
Wanna do well in this clinical posting and the subsequent semestral examination, so I may truly enjoy my holiday thereupon. People who work hard earn their rest.
Can't wait for holidays!
I am attached to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for my first clinical posting!
Still single, not sure what you were thinking...
Today's the first day, the hospital was very kind to give us an orientation rather than throwing all the students into wards for work. Was so worried about being late today actually, as I got stuck in a traffic jam last night on the way to Singapore, dead beat when I reached here. Thank God for mercy that I made it.
Rushed out as soon as I gathered enough determinancy to get out of bed.
Anyway I had a good time at the hospital, found out that the ward that I am about to be "working" in for the next 3 weeks is not air-conditioned. Quite happy about it as working under lower temperatures for 8 hours a day is no joke; but on the other hand I am afraid of sweating too much. Hope all goes well.
The programme today came to an end at around 4(few minutes earlier actually) and I left with anticipation of what tomorrow holds.
Today's weather was hot hot hot, wonder if the clouds in the sky went on study break like the rest of the students in Singaporean Polytechnics now.
I made use of the Sun, hand-washed my uniform and some other clothes.
In the evening something historical happened! A miracle, an unexpected event! For since a long time, a long long time, I'm talking about an "at least 3 years or more" kind of long time, today I, Joel Yap used a clothes iron.
I ironed my student nurse uniform for the first time, because it is my first student nurse uniform, of course it had to be my first time! But hey, for the first time in so many years I finally touched an iron!
Glad to be "attached"!
Wanna do well in this clinical posting and the subsequent semestral examination, so I may truly enjoy my holiday thereupon. People who work hard earn their rest.
Can't wait for holidays!
Friday, August 6
Foto Friday
Awaiting for hospital attachment
my very first
First year, first semester
I hope this passion
can bring me far
much further than
these shoes would
Sunday, August 1
It's a Sunday night
Nothing beats getting up from a good quality evening nap. Got up by 8PM after some very nice dreaming!
Didn't care much about what to eat because I had quite a lot left from this afternoon's welcome lunch at St. John's-St. Margaret's. Speaking of that, it was so nice of the church to have held the welcome lunch and the little introduction to the church and stuff, even had a tour around the premises. Nice place of worship!
Went down to get some bread for the week. This will be the final week of classes at the college for Semester 1 of Year 1! Amazing how time flies...
But it doesn't mean the semester ends so soon. After this week, hospital attachment awaits and welcome me for a period of 3 weeks. 2 more weeks of examination following before the semester comes to a break. Can't wait for the break!
Anyway it's a Sunday night and I'm enjoying it whilst getting excited and ready for the rest of the week.
Didn't care much about what to eat because I had quite a lot left from this afternoon's welcome lunch at St. John's-St. Margaret's. Speaking of that, it was so nice of the church to have held the welcome lunch and the little introduction to the church and stuff, even had a tour around the premises. Nice place of worship!
Went down to get some bread for the week. This will be the final week of classes at the college for Semester 1 of Year 1! Amazing how time flies...
But it doesn't mean the semester ends so soon. After this week, hospital attachment awaits and welcome me for a period of 3 weeks. 2 more weeks of examination following before the semester comes to a break. Can't wait for the break!
It's a Sunday night...
Great to have snacks for dinner.
It's a Sunday night...
Feel the warmth of chatting with mommy via Skype!
It's a Sunday night...
So nice to be chatting with other random loved ones!
It's a Sunday night...
It sucked to think about Monday mornings, but this time it feels different. I'm excited to head back home the coming weekend, can already smell Kluang but also feeling stressed about the traffic jam.
It's a Sunday night...
And I'm worrying about traffic jam on Friday evening, National Day for Singapore next Monday so there will likely be a heavy jam on the road as there are many others travelling too.
Anyway it's a Sunday night and I'm enjoying it whilst getting excited and ready for the rest of the week.
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